U.S. patent application number 11/506624 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-22 for dual-usage beverage dispensing system.
Invention is credited to James Jerre Lloyd.
Application Number | 20070039974 11/506624 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37766533 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070039974 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lloyd; James Jerre |
February 22, 2007 |
Dual-usage beverage dispensing system
Abstract
The present invention is a dual-usage beverage dispensing system
for preparing and delivering a multi-component beverage as a liquid
or as a semi-frozen/frozen beverage.
Inventors: |
Lloyd; James Jerre; (Laguna
Niguel, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James Jerre Lloyd
21 Cala d'Or
Laguna Niguel
CA
92677
US
|
Family ID: |
37766533 |
Appl. No.: |
11/506624 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60709214 |
Aug 18, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/105 ;
206/229; 206/568; 220/495.03; 62/66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/067 20130101;
A23G 9/28 20130101; B65D 83/0072 20130101; B67D 2001/0827 20130101;
A23G 9/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/105 ;
206/568; 206/229; 220/495.03; 062/066 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/56 20060101
B65D035/56; F25C 1/00 20060101 F25C001/00; B65D 25/14 20060101
B65D025/14; B65D 71/00 20060101 B65D071/00; B65D 69/00 20060101
B65D069/00 |
Claims
1. A method of forming a multi-component beverage with a portable
beverage delivery system comprising: providing a delivery system
having a housing with a compartment, said housing having a first
opening and a second opening; and a mixing chamber having a mixer
beverage therein, the mixing chamber disposed with the compartment
of the housing and having a closeable introduction aperture and a
closeable exit aperture respectively exposed through the first
opening and the second opening of the housing; opening the
introduction aperture of the mixing chamber; pouring a portion of
an alcoholic beverage from a container into the mixing chamber
through the introduction aperture; closing the introduction
aperture of the mixing chamber intermixing the mixer beverage and
the portion of the alcoholic beverage together to form the
multi-component beverage within the mixing chamber; dispensing the
multi-component beverage through the exit aperture of the mixing
chamber. placing the mixing chamber in a freezer for a period of
time capable of semi-freezing the multi-component beverage;
removing the mixing chamber from the freezer; and dispensing a
semi-frozen multi-component beverage through the introduction
aperture of the mixing chamber.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the housing is constructed of
cardboard.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the mixing chamber is a flexible
plastic bag structure.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the exit aperture comprises a
valve for selectively opening and closing the exit aperture.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the exit aperture comprises a
valve for selectively opening and closing the exit aperture.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein dispensing the multi-component
beverage through the exit aperture of the mixing chamber is
accomplished by gravity force.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein dispensing the multi-component
beverage through the exit aperture of the mixing chamber is
accomplished by squeezing the mixing chamber.
8. A multi-component beverage delivery system comprising: a housing
with a compartment, said housing having a first opening and a
second opening; a mixing chamber having a mixer beverage therein,
the mixing chamber disposed with the compartment of the housing; a
closeable introduction aperture coupled to the mixing chamber; and
a closeable exit aperture coupled to the mixing chamber; wherein
the introduction aperture is exposed through the first opening and
the exit aperture is exposed through the second opening of the
housing.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the exit aperture is sized and
dimension to dispense a liquid only multi-component beverage and
the introduction aperture is sized and dimension to dispense a
semi-frozen multi-component beverage.
10. The system of claim 8 wherein the exit aperture is sized and
dimensioned to dispense a semi-frozen multi-component beverage and
the introduction aperture is sized and dimensioned to dispense the
semi-frozen multi-component beverage.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the housing comprising a
slidable lid disposed within the housing.
12. The system of claim 11 further comprising an adapter coupled to
the lid, said adapter sized and dimensioned to receive a handle.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application No. 60/709,214, filed Aug. 18, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS
[0002] The inventions described below relate the field of beverage
packaging and dispensing, and in particular, to a portable beverage
delivery system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
[0003] In general, beverages can be divided into single-component
and multi-component products. Examples of single-component
beverages include soft drinks such as various colas, soda, root
beer, water, coffee, tea, wine, beer, etc., while examples of
multi-component products include alcoholic drinks containing liquor
and mixer such as bourbon and soda, scotch and water, rum and cola,
etc. Multi-component products typically contain a relatively small
amount of liquor and a relatively large amount of mixer. Making
alcoholic cocktail beverages from liquor generally fall into two
categories, over ice, or blended.
[0004] Because governmental taxation of a packaged alcoholic
product such as a bottle of liquor is based on the volume of the
bottle as opposed to weight or concentration of liquor present,
beverage producers cannot afford to sell pre-mixed cocktails since,
even though a packaged cocktail container may contain only one
ounce of liquor and seven ounces of mixer, taxation would be based
on the total of eight, and not one, ounces of liquor. Consequently,
a consumer is forced to inconveniently transport at least two
separate containers (e.g. liquor and mixer) when taking
refreshments to an outside function, and must thereafter locate
accommodations that permit a proper mixing and serving procedure.
Especially with outdoor functions, such accommodations many times
are not available, thereby precluding availability of
mixed-beverage products.
[0005] During many social functions, guests prefer the availability
of mixed-beverage products both over ice and blended. Providing
mixed-beverage products over ice and blended at social function
also requires locating accommodations that permit a proper mixing
and serving procedure. Further, blended mixed-beverage products
necessitate the use of mixing equipment such as blenders as well as
ice and refrigeration equipment. Many time, especially with outdoor
functions, mixing equipment, ice, and accommodations for proper
serving are not available precluding the availability of
mixed-beverage products over ice or blended/frozen.
[0006] In view of the obstacles in providing mixed-beverage
products over ice and blended, it is apparent that a need exists
for convenient packaging that allows carriage of mixer components
of a multi-component beverage with integral mixing and dispensing
capabilities as part of the packaging for final production of a
mixed-beverage product capable of being served over ice or
blended.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention is a dual-usage beverage dispensing
system for preparing and delivering a multi-component beverage as a
liquid or as a semi-frozen/frozen beverage. The dual-usage beverage
dispensing system comprises a housing with a mixing chamber
disposed therein for mixing the individual components of the
beverage to form the final beverage product. The chamber has a
closeable introduction aperture through which the individual
components can enter the chamber. The introduction aperture is
constructed to further serve as a first blended dispensing aperture
for blended mixed-beverages. The mixing chamber further contains a
closeable exit aperture through which the beverage can be dispensed
for over ice serving. The mixing chamber may also be provided with
a second blended dispensing aperture. The housing has an opening in
substantial alignment with the exit aperture through which the exit
aperture of the container is accessible and through which the
beverage can be dispensed. When the mixing chamber is provided with
a second blended dispensing aperture, the housing is also provided
with a second opening in substantial alignment with the second
blended dispensing aperture through which the blended dispensing
aperture of the container is accessible and through which the
beverage can be dispensed.
[0008] The portable delivery system permits preparation and
delivery of a multi-component beverage through interaction of
components when desired. The system is capable of serving beverages
for over ice consumption. Further, the mixing chamber is capable of
dispensing blended multi-component beverages. In this manner a
singly-packaged system accomplishes convenient on-site generation
of a multi-component beverage capable of being served over ice or
blended which otherwise may not practically be packageable or
transportable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a dual-usage beverage dispensing system.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a dual-usage beverage dispensing system with a
second blended dispensing aperture.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows the dual-usage beverage dispensing system in
use dispensing multi-component beverages.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows the dual-usage beverage dispensing system in
use dispensing blended/frozen multi-component beverages.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows the dual-usage beverage dispensing system with
a slidable housing lid slidably disposed within the housing.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows the dual-usage beverage dispensing system with
a slidable housing lid slidably disposed within the housing and
adapter and a piston rod coupled to the lid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a dual-usage beverage dispensing system 1. The
dual-usage beverage dispensing system comprises a housing 2 for
housing a flexible-walled mixing chamber 3. The housing may be
manufactured from cardboard. The mixing chamber is leak proof and
can be constructed of a polymer such as polyethylene. The mixing
chamber is typically constructed from a sealed bag.
[0016] A top opening or introduction aperture 4 is dispose on the
mixing chamber and permits liquid introduction into the mixing
chamber upon removal of a conventional friction-fit lid 5. The
introduction aperture may be provided with a threaded screw cap 6
or a valve to prevent liquids from exiting through the introduction
aperture when not desired. The introduction aperture is sized and
dimensioned to function as a blended dispensing aperture and permit
the dispensing of blended frozen or semi-frozen multi-component
beverages. Blended frozen or semi-frozen multi-component beverages
contain both liquids and ice crystals. The introduction aperture is
accommodated by an introduction cut 7 out or first cut out in the
housing.
[0017] An exit aperture 8 having a standard hand-operable valve
spout 11 is disposed near the bottom 9 of the chamber and is
accommodated by a spout cut out 10 or second opening through the
housing to allow controlled exit of liquid from the mixing chamber.
The exit aperture may or may not be sized and dimensioned to
dispense blended frozen or semi-frozen multi-component beverages.
In FIG. 1, the exit aperture is sized and dimension to permit the
dispensing of liquids only.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the dual-usage beverage dispensing
system may be provided with a second exit aperture 15 disposed near
the bottom of the chamber. The second exit aperture can be provided
with a valve or a threaded screw cap. The second blended dispensing
aperture is accommodated by a second spout cut out 16 through the
housing to allow controlled exit of frozen or semi-frozen liquid
from the mixing chamber that would be unable to exit through the
first exit aperture.
[0019] When the dual-usage beverage dispensing system is in use, a
user of the system introduces all components of a desired beverage
into the mixing chamber through the introduction aperture.
Typically, the mixing chamber is provided with one or more mixer
components such as margarita mix disposed therein and the user adds
an alcoholic component 17 to the mixer such as tequila. When all
components of a desired beverage are introduced into the mixing
chamber, the user mixes the components together by lightly shaking
the mixing container. Once the mixing is completed, the user is
able to dispense the completed beverage through the exit spout into
a glass 18 or other drinking container for over ice consumption,
such as a margarita on the "rocks" as depicted in FIG. 3.
[0020] The dual-usage beverage dispensing system is further capable
of serving blended/frozen multi-component beverages such as a
frozen margarita. When in use, a user of the system opens the
introduction aperture and introduces all components of a desired
beverage into the mixing chamber through the introduction aperture.
When all components of a desired beverage are introduced into the
mixing chamber, the user closes the introduction aperture and mixes
the components together. The user then places the mixing chamber
into a cold environment having a temperature below the freezing
point of water, typically a household freezer. The mixing chamber
with the components of a desired beverage therein is kept in the
freezer for a period of time capable of semi-freezing or freezing
the beverage. Once a suitable amount of ice crystals have formed in
the multi-component beverage, the mixing chamber is removed from
the freezer. As shown in FIG. 4, a user is then able to dispense
the blended/frozen multi-component beverage having liquid and ice
through the introduction aperture by use of gravity or squeezing
the mixing chamber.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows the dual-usage beverage dispensing system with
a slidable housing lid 22 slidably disposed within the housing. The
slidable top of the housing functions as a piston and the housing
serves as a cylinder. A user may depress the slidable lid which
then compresses the chamber facilitating the dispensing of a
multi-component beverage through the first or second exit aperture.
An adapter 23 may be disposed on the housing lid. The adapter is
sized and dimension to functionally engage and receive a handle 24
that can function as a piston rod. The handle can be attached to
the lid to further assist a user in depressing the lid in a
downward motion as shown in FIG. 6.
[0022] Thus, while the preferred embodiments of the devices and
methods have been described in reference to the environment in
which they were developed, they are merely illustrative of the
principles of the inventions. Other embodiments and configurations
may be devised without departing from the spirit of the inventions
and the scope of the appended claims.
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