U.S. patent application number 10/957983 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for dry ice drinking vessel.
Invention is credited to Nielsen, Peter.
Application Number | 20050039484 10/957983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46302991 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050039484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nielsen, Peter |
February 24, 2005 |
Dry ice drinking vessel
Abstract
The Invention is an apparatus which may be a drinking vessel to
contain dry ice submerged within a beverage to create a visual
effect. A partition has a first side and a second side and is
adapted to contain dry ice on the first side. The partition is
adapted to allow the beverage to flow from the second side of said
partition to said first side of said partition when said partition
is immersed in the beverage, exposing the beverage to the dry ice,
creating a visual effect and chilling the beverage.
Inventors: |
Nielsen, Peter; (Kansas
City, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT J. YARBROUGH, ATTORNEY AT LAW
201 NORTH JACKSON STREET
MEDIA
PA
19063
US
|
Family ID: |
46302991 |
Appl. No.: |
10/957983 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10957983 |
Oct 1, 2004 |
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10645019 |
Aug 21, 2003 |
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60405468 |
Aug 22, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/457.3 ;
62/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2303/0845 20130101;
F25D 2331/808 20130101; F25D 2303/0842 20130101; F25D 3/14
20130101; A47G 19/2288 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/457.3 ;
062/384 |
International
Class: |
F25D 003/00; F25D
003/12; F25D 003/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus to contain dry ice submerged within a beverage to
create a visual effect, the apparatus comprising: a. a partition
having a first side and a second side; b. said partition being
adapted to contain the dry ice on said first side of said
partition; c. said partition being further adapted to allow the
beverage to flow from said second side of said partition to said
first side of said partition when said partition is immersed in the
beverage, thereby exposing the beverage to the dry ice contained on
said first side of said partition; d. said partition being further
adapted to allow a bubble of sublimated carbon dioxide gas to move
through said beverage from the dry ice contained on said first side
of said partition to said second side of said partition, thereby
creating the visual effect.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adaptation of said
partition to contain the dry ice on said first side of said
partition comprises: a. a drinking vessel having a bottom, a wall
engaging said bottom and an open rim defined by said wall; b. said
partition engaging said wall; c. said partition, said wall and said
bottom defining a first interior volume, said first interior volume
being adapted to selectably contain the dry ice whereby the dry ice
may be placed within the first interior volume and confined
therein; d. said wall, said open rim and said partition together
defining a second interior volume, said second interior volume
being adapted to receive the beverage.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adaptation of said first
interior volume to selectably contain the dry ice comprises: said
engagement between said partition and said wall is a fixed
engagement, said engagement between said bottom of said drinking
vessel and said wall being a selectable engagement, said bottom of
said drinking vessel having an open and a closed position, said
bottom when in said open position allowing insertion of the dry ice
within said first interior volume, said bottom when in said closed
position forming a liquid-tight connection between said bottom and
said wall and confining the dry ice within said first interior
volume.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said adaptation of said
partition to allow said beverage to flow from said second side to
said first side and said adaptation of said partition to allow
sublimated carbon dioxide to flow from said first side to said
second side comprise: a perforation penetrating said partition and
placing said first and said second sides of said partition in fluid
and pneumatic communication.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: a cap, said cap
being adapted to selectably cover said perforation, said cap being
adapted to substantially prevent said flow of the beverage through
said perforation from said second side to said first side of said
partition and to thereby substantially prevent contact between the
dry ice located within said first interior volume and a beverage
located within said second interior volume.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a tab, said tab
being connected to said cap, said tab extending above an expected
level of the beverage in said second volume whereby a server may
lift said tab and remove said cap from said at least one
perforation, thereby allowing the beverage to flow through said
perforation and to contact the dry ice.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a tray, said tray
having an electrical power supply and at least one electrical
light, said tray being adapted to receive and to illuminate said
drinking vessel.
8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adaptation of said first
interior volume to selectably contain the dry ice comprises: said
engagement between said partition and said wall being a selectable
engagement, said partition being configured such that said
partition may be inserted through said open rim of said drinking
vessel and placed in engagement with said wall, thereby defining
said first interior volume and thereby confining the dry ice.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said adaptation of said
partition to allow said beverage to flow from said second side to
said first side and said adaptation of said partition to allow a
bubble of sublimated carbon dioxide gas to flow from said first
side to said second side comprises: a perforation, said perforation
penetrating said partition, said perforation thereby placing said
first and said second sides of said partition in fluid and
pneumatic communication.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a cap, said cap
being configured to selectably cover said perforation and thereby
selectably prevent the flow of the beverage through said
perforation from said second side to said first side of said
partition.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a tab, said tab
being connected to said cap, said tab extending above an expected
level of the beverage in said second volume whereby a server may
lift said tab and remove said cap from said perforation, thereby
allowing the beverage to flow through said perforation and to
contact the dry ice.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a tray, said
tray having an electrical power supply, a switch, and at least one
electrical light, said tray being adapted to receive and to
illuminate said drinking vessel.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adaptation of said
partition to contain the dry ice on said first side of said
partition comprises: a. a body, said body being in selectable
engagement with said partition, said body and said partition
defining a first interior volume, said body and said partition
having an open and a closed position, said body and said partition
when in said open position allowing insertion of the dry ice into
said first interior volume, said body and said partition when in
said closed position confining the dry ice within said first
interior volume; b. a spring clip, said spring clip engaging said
body or said partition, said spring clip being adapted to
selectably and resiliently engage a wall of a drinking vessel
whereby said spring clip retains said interior volume within said
drinking vessel.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adaptation of said
partition to contain the dry ice on said first side of said
partition comprises: a. a drinking vessel having a bottom, a wall
engaging said bottom and an open rim defined by said wall, said
partition being in fixed engagement with said wall; b. a first
interior volume defined by said partition and said bottom, said
bottom of said drinking vessel being in selectable engagement with
said wall of said drinking vessel, said bottom of said drinking
vessel having an open and a closed position, said bottom being
configured to allow insertion of the dry ice within said first
interior volume when said bottom is in said open position, said
bottom being configured to form a liquid-tight connection between
said bottom and said wall when said bottom is in said closed
position thereby selectably confining the dry ice within said first
interior volume; c. a second interior volume defined by said open
rim and said partition, said second interior volume being adapted
to receive the beverage; d. said adaptation of said partition to
allow said beverage to flow from said second side to said first
side and said adaptation of said partition to allow a bubble of
sublimated carbon dioxide gas to flow from said first side to said
second side comprise: a perforation penetrating said partition and
placing said first and said second sides of said partition in fluid
and pneumatic communication.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: a cap, said cap
being configured to selectably cover said perforation and to
thereby substantially prevent contact between the dry ice located
within said first interior volume and a beverage located within
said second interior volume.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a tab, said tab
being connected to said cap, said tab extending above an expected
level of the beverage in said second volume whereby a server may
lift said tab and remove said cap from said perforation, thereby
allowing the beverage to flow through said perforation and to
contact the dry ice.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a tray, said
tray having an electrical power supply, a switch, and at least one
electrical light, said tray being adapted to receive and to
illuminate said drinking vessel.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adaptation of said
partition to contain the dry ice on said first side of said
partition comprises: a. a drinking vessel having a wall and an open
rim defined by said wall, said partition being in fixed engagement
with said wall; b. a bottom in selectable engagement with said
wall; c. a first interior volume defined by said wall, said
partition and said bottom, said bottom of said drinking vessel
having an open and a closed position, said bottom when in said open
position being configured to allow insertion of the dry ice within
said first interior volume, said bottom when in said closed
position being configured to form a liquid-tight connection between
said bottom and said wall and to confine the dry ice within said
first interior volume; d. a second interior volume defined by said
open rim, said wall and said partition, said second interior volume
being adapted to receive the beverage; e. said adaptation of said
partition to allow the beverage to flow from said second side to
said first side of said partition and said adaptation of said
partition to allow said bubble of sublimated carbon dioxide gas to
flow from said first side to said second side comprise: at least
one perforation penetrating said partition and placing said first
and said second sides of said partition in fluid and pneumatic
communication; e. a cap, said cap being configured to selectably
cover said perforation and to substantially prevent the flow of the
beverage through said perforation from said second side to said
first side of said partition and to thereby substantially prevent
contact between the dry ice located within said first interior
volume and the beverage located within said second interior volume;
f. a tab, said tab being connected to said cap, said tab extending
above an expected level of the beverage in said second volume
whereby a server may lift said tab and remove said cap from said
perforation, thereby allowing the beverage to flow through said at
least one perforation and to contact the dry ice.
19. An apparatus to create a visual effect within a beverage
utilizing dry ice, the apparatus comprising: a. a drinking vessel;
b. means to selectably contain the dry ice within said drinking
vessel; c. means to allow the beverage to contact the dry ice when
the beverage is placed within said drinking vessel and to allow a
bubble of sublimated carbon dioxide gas from the dry ice to pass
through the beverage, thereby creating the visual effect.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: a cap, said cap
removably engaging said means to allow the beverage to contact the
dry ice when the beverage is placed within said drinking vessel,
said cap being configured to substantially prevent the beverage
from contacting the dry ice when the beverage is placed within said
drinking vessel.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: a tab, said tab
being connected to said cap, said tab projecting above an expected
level of the beverage when said beverage is placed within said
drinking vessel, said tab being adapted to be gripped by a server
whereby a server may remove said tab and said cap and allow the
beverage to contact the dry ice.
22. A method of creating a visual effect in a beverage, the method
comprising: a. providing a drinking vessel; b. providing a
partition within said drinking vessel, said partition defining a
first interior volume, said partition being adapted to contain a
dry ice within said first interior volume, said partition having a
perforation penetrating through said partition; c. placing said dry
ice within said first interior volume; d. submerging said first
interior volume in the beverage, whereby said beverage flows
through said perforation and contacts said dry ice and whereby
sublimation of said dry ice causes a bubble of carbon dioxide gas
to pass through the beverage resulting in the visual effect.
23. The method of claim 19 wherein said partition cooperates with a
drinking vessel wall and a drinking vessel bottom to define said
first interior volume, said drinking vessel bottom having a first
position and a second position, said drinking vessel bottom when in
said first position being open to receive said dry ice, said
drinking vessel bottom when in said second position being closed to
contain said dry ice.
24. The method of claim 20 further comprising: a. providing a cap,
said cap selectably engaging said perforation, said cap selectably
preventing the beverage from flowing through said perforation; b.
providing a tab, said tab attached to said cap, said tab being
adapted to be gripped by a user whereby said user may grip and
remove said tab, thereby removing said cap from selectable
engagement with said perforation and allowing the beverage to flow
through said perforation.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
patent application No. 60/405,468 filed Aug. 22, 2002 and U.S.
utility patent application No. 10/645,019, filed Aug. 21, 2003, the
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide. When placed in a liquid
that is at room temperature, the carbon dioxide absorbs heat from
the liquid and undergoes a change of state, sublimating to carbon
dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide gas bubbles through the liquid,
chilling the air above the liquid. Water vapor in the air
condenses, causing a vapor or fog to form over the liquid. The
absorption of heat from the liquid chills the liquid. Carbon
dioxide commonly is placed in water to create visual effects for
theatrical and concert productions.
[0003] It has been common practice to use dry ice as a cooling
agent. Dry ice can be dangerous to touch, but is commonly used in
shipping perishable items. Dry ice is commonly available in block
form and also as pellets. It is known to use dry ice to cool
beverages. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,105,339 to Sweitzer
discloses dry ice used to cool a portable dispenser for beverages.
The insulated dispense of Sweitzer includes an internal container
into which dry ice is placed. The dispenser is then filled with a
beverage. The dispenser provides cooling and also carbonation and
has a valve to control pressure. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,910,461
and 4,170,320 both to Eager, issued Oct. 7, 1975 and Oct. 9, 1979,
respectively.
[0004] Prior art dispenser devices such as the Switzer and Eager
devices filled a need for cool beverages but were only practical
where a beverage was to be served to a large number of people from
a single dispenser. The prior art devices do not serve to create a
visual effect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention is a perforated partition to segregate dry ice
submerged in a beverage to create a smoking, boiling effect in the
beverage. The perforated partition may comprise a portion of a
vessel, such as a drinking vessel. When the beverage is exposed to
the dry ice, the dry ice absorbs heat from the beverage and
sublimates from solid to gaseous carbon dioxide. The gaseous carbon
dioxide bubbles through the beverage, making the beverage appear to
boil, and causes vapor to appear above the surface of the beverage.
The appearance of the vapor creates an illusion that the beverage
is emitting smoke. The absorption of heat by the dry ice as it
undergoes the change of state from solid to gas also cools the
beverage.
[0006] The perforated container for dry ice may form a portion of a
drinking vessel, such as a chamber incorporated into a drinking
vessel. The drinking vessel of the invention is generally
cylindrical. A perforated partition on the interior of the
cylindrical drinking vessel separates the interior of the drinking
vessel into a first volume and a second volume. The bottom of the
drinking vessel has an open position and a closed position. When
the bottom of the drinking vessel is in the open position, dry ice
may be placed into the first volume. When the bottom of the
drinking vessel is in the closed position, the bottom is sealed,
containing the dry ice within the first volume and rendering the
drinking vessel liquid-tight and ready to receive a beverage. The
beverage is poured into the drinking vessel through the open rim.
The beverage occupies the second volume of the drinking vessel and
flows through the perforations in the partition into the first
volume, exposing the beverage to the dry ice contained in the first
volume.
[0007] The boiling, smoking visual effect of the submerged dry ice
renders a beverage visually attractive. The visual effect is
enhanced by lighting the drinking vessel from below, as by
upward-shining light-emitting diodes installed in a tray for
serving beverages. The chilling effect of the dry ice also adds to
the appeal of beverages served using the drinking vessel.
[0008] The usefulness of the drinking vessel is improved and the
time between preparing and serving the beverage may be extended by
providing a removable cap blinding the perforations of the
partition. The removable cap substantially prevents the beverage
from flowing through the perforations to the dry ice. The removable
cap has a tab extending above the level of the beverage, allowing a
server to pull the tab and thereby remove the cap from the
perforations, allowing the beverage to flow through the
perforations to the dry ice. The use of the removable cap allows a
server to charge the drinking vessel with dry ice and pour the
beverage into the drinking vessel up to an hour before serving the
beverage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the drinking vessel
of the invention with a cap and tab.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross section of the drinking
vessel of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section of the drinking
vessel of FIG. 1 illustrating operation of the cap and tab.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross section of the drinking
vessel of FIG. 1 illustrating the visual effect and the cooling of
the beverage.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a second
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view of the second embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a partially cut away perspective view of a third
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross section view of the third
embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross section of the third
embodiment in use.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another configuration for
the third embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment
installed on a drinking vessel.
[0021] FIG. 13 is perspective view of a tray and a cross sectional
view of a drinking vessel.
DESCRIPTION ON AN EMBODIMENT
[0022] The Invention is in the form of a small drinking vessel such
as might be used to consume alcoholic "shots." The first embodiment
of the Invention is illustrated by FIGS. 1-4. A generally
cylindrical drinking vessel 2 has a vessel wall 4. As shown by
FIGS. 2-4, the drinking vessel 2 has a partition 6 in fixed
engagement with the vessel wall 4. Partition 6 has a first side 8
and a second side 10. At least one perforation 12 through the
partition 6 communicates between first side 8 and second side 10.
Partition 6 and wall 4 together define a first interior volume 14
and a second interior volume 16. Partition 6 segregates first
interior volume 14 from second interior volume 16, while allowing
fluid and pneumatic communication between first interior volume 14
and second interior volume 16.
[0023] Drinking vessel 2 has a bottom 18 selectable engaging the
wall 4. Bottom 18 has an open position illustrated by FIGS. 1 and
2, and a closed position illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4. In the open
position, dry ice pellets 20, shown by FIGS. 3, may be placed in
first interior volume 14. In the closed position of bottom 18 as
illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4, bottom 18 forms a liquid-tight seal
with wall 4 of drinking vessel 2, confining dry ice 20 within first
interior volume 14.
[0024] As shown by FIG. 4, once dry ice 20 is sealed within first
interior volume 14, a beverage 22 may be poured through open rim 24
into second interior volume16 of drinking vessel 2. Beverage 22
flows through the perforations 12 in partition 6. Beverage 22
thereby comes in contact with dry ice 20. Dry ice 20 absorbs heat
from beverage 22, chilling beverage 22 and sublimating dry ice 20
into bubbles 26 of carbon dioxide gas. Bubbles 26 rise through
beverage 22 into the air, causing water vapor in the air to
condense into a mist 28. The rising bubbles 26 and mist 28 create
the desired smoking, boiling visual effect.
[0025] FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate the operation of cap 30 and tab 32.
Cap 30 is installed on the second side 10 of partition 6 through
open rim 24 of drinking vessel 2. Cap 30 blinds perforations 12,
preventing flow of the beverage 22 through the perforations 12 and
preventing beverage 22 from coming in contact with the dry ice 20.
When a server is ready to serve the beverage 22 to a consumer of
the beverage 22, the server pulls the tab 32, which lifts cap 30
from the perforations 12 and allows the beverage 22 to contact the
dry ice 20. Contact with the dry ice 20 by the beverage 22 then
results in the desired smoking, boiling visual effect.
[0026] By use of cap 30, a server of a beverage may extend the time
between the charging of the drinking vessel 2 with dry ice 20 and a
beverage 22 and serving the beverage 22 to a consumer. In the
absence of segregation of the beverage 22 from the dry ice 20, the
beverage must be served immediately upon pouring of the beverage 22
into the drinking vessel 2 because the dry ice 20 will sublimate
and disappear and because the beverage 22 will be chilled to a
temperature below which the desired smoking, boiling visual effect
does not occur.
[0027] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the drinking
vessel 2. Partition 6 is in fixed engagement with wall 4. Bottom 18
and partition 6 cooperate to define first interior volume 14.
Bottom 18 selectably engages wall 4 in a fluid-tight connection
using any suitable engagement means, such as a snap connection or
threads 34. Dry ice 20 is placed within first interior volume 14
and beverage 22 is poured through open rim 24. Beverage flows
through perforations 12 but does not leak from the vessel 2 because
of the fluid tight connection between wall 4 and bottom 18. Dry ice
20 sublimates, causing the boiling, smoking effect and chilling
beverage 22.
[0028] FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a third embodiment. In the embodiment
of FIGS. 7-10, bottom 18 is in fixed engagement with wall 4 and
partition 6 selectably engages wall 4. Partition 6 is inserted into
the drinking vessel 2 through open rim 24. Partition 6 slidably
engages wall 4, securing partition 6 in place within drinking
vessel 2 and confining dry ice 20 within the first interior volume
14.
[0029] In the third embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 7-9, the
partition 6 has perforations 12. In the variation on the third
embodiment illustrated by FIG. 10, partition has no perforations 12
and instead the diameter of partition 6 is less than the inside
diameter of wall 4 of drinking vessel 2. The resulting space
between the wall 4 and the partition 6 allows the beverage 22 to
flow around partition 6 to reach dry ice and allows bubbles 26 of
carbon dioxide to flow from dry ice 20. Spring members 36
resiliently engage wall 4, holding partition 6 in place within the
drinking vessel 2.
[0030] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a fourth embodiment. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, partition 6 selectably engages body
38. Partition 6 and body 38 together define first interior volume
14. Perforations 12 communicate between the first interior volume
14 and the area outside of the first interior volume 14. In use,
dry ice 20 is placed within the first interior volume 14 and body
38 and partition 6 assembly is immersed in the beverage 22 in a
drinking vessel 2. Spring clip 40 engages wall 4 and holds the
partition 6 and body 38 assembly in place within drinking vessel 2.
The spring clip 40 may be equipped with a ball 42 which may engage
a corresponding depression 44 in wall 4 to hold the spring clip 40
in position. The beverage 22 flows through the perforation 12 into
the first interior volume 14 and sublimated carbon dioxide gas 26
flows from the perforation 12, causing the boiling, smoking effect
in the beverage 22.
[0031] FIG. 13 illustrates a tray 44 for use in serving beverages
22 using the drinking vessel 2 of the Invention. Tray 44 is
equipped with electrical lights 46 such as light emitting diodes
shining through the drinking vessel 2. As illustrated by FIG. 13,
the electrical lights 46 may shine upwardly or laterally through
the drinking vessel 2. A battery 48 powers the electrical lights 46
and a switch 50 allows the server to control the electrical lights
46. The electrical lights 46 cause the boiling, smoking beverage 22
and the mist 28 to glow, enhancing the visual effect of the
Invention.
[0032] In describing the above embodiments of the invention,
specific terminology was selected for the sake of clarity. However,
the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms
so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term
includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner
to accomplish a similar purpose.
* * * * *