U.S. patent application number 12/050934 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for method of and apparatus for the bottom-up filling of beverage containers.
Invention is credited to Eerik Torm Hantsoo, Addison Newcomb Shelton.
Application Number | 20080223478 12/050934 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39761457 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080223478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hantsoo; Eerik Torm ; et
al. |
September 18, 2008 |
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR THE BOTTOM-UP FILLING OF BEVERAGE
CONTAINERS
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for filling
specially-designed beverage containers from the bottom through a
one-way port. One embodiment of the invention employs an umbrella
valve (19) mounted in a perforated stopper (18), which is
interference-fitted into the bottom of a beverage container (11).
When brought into contact with concentric o-ring seals (12,17) on a
fluid delivery assembly (13), vacuum suction (14, 16) fixtures the
beverage container (11) down to the fluid delivery assembly (13),
creating a liquid-tight channel for fluids to be fed through.
Fluids originate in a pressurized reservoir and are fed through a
fluid feed-in (15), forcing the umbrella valve (19) open and
allowing flow of fluid into the interior volume (20) of the
beverage container. Upon completion of filling, the reservoir is
depressurized, allowing the umbrella valve (19) to snap shut. The
beverage container (11) can now be decoupled from the fluid
delivery assembly (13) and employed as desired. Other embodiments
are described and shown.
Inventors: |
Hantsoo; Eerik Torm;
(Cambridge, MA) ; Shelton; Addison Newcomb;
(Sunnyvale, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Eerik Hantsoo
Apt 3, 27 Fainwood Cir
Cambridge
MA
02139
US
|
Family ID: |
39761457 |
Appl. No.: |
12/050934 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60895474 |
Mar 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/2 ; 141/21;
220/86.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D 1/0894 20130101;
B67D 1/06 20130101; A47G 19/2205 20130101; B67D 2210/00065
20130101; B65D 1/265 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/2 ; 220/86.1;
141/21 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/04 20060101
B65B003/04 |
Claims
1. A beverage container, comprising: a vessel defining an interior
volume with a hole or permeable channel penetrating through a wall
of the vessel, with said hole or permeable channel distinct from an
existing mouth of the vessel and located beneath the free surface
of fluid in said beverage container when full; an outflow
mitigation apparatus fitted to said hole or permeable channel.
2. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the outflow mitigation
apparatus comprises of a duckbill valve.
3. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the outflow mitigation
apparatus comprises of an umbrella valve.
4. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the outflow mitigation
apparatus comprises of a permeable membrane.
5. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the beverage container
includes more than one hole or permeable channel and at least one
outflow mitigation apparatus per hole or permeable channel.
6. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the outflow mitigation
apparatus has a first configuration to receive fluid when engaged
with a fluid delivery apparatus and a second configuration to
prevent fluid leakage when disengaged from a fluid delivery
apparatus.
7. A fluid delivery system for use with one or more beverage
containers, the system comprising: a beverage container defining an
interior volume with a hole or permeable channel penetrating
through a wall of the beverage container, with said hole or
permeable channel distinct from an existing mouth of the beverage
container and located beneath the level of fluid in the beverage
container when full; a leakage prevention member for sealing with
the impermeable outer surface of said beverage container; a fluid
delivery assembly comprising of one or more passages through which
pressurized fluid can be brought into the interior volume said
beverage container, where the passage is in fluid communication
with at least one fluid source.
8. The fluid delivery system of claim 7 comprising a plurality of
beverage containers and fluid delivery assemblies, sealed to one
another and brought into fluid communication with one another
through said holes or permeable channels, permitting flow of fluids
into said interior volumes of said beverage containers.
9. The fluid delivery system of claim 7 in which said fluid
delivery assembly is oriented beneath the bottom of said beverage
container.
10. The fluid delivery system of claim 7 in which gas-phase fluids
are flowed through said fluid delivery assembly and employed in
agitating the contents of said beverage container.
11. The fluid delivery system of claim 7 in which, when the
container is decoupled, allows independent operation of said
beverage container through said existing mouth without leakage
through said hole or permeable channel.
12. A beverage container filling method comprising: providing a
beverage container having an opening distinct from a mouth of the
container from which a user drinks or pours the beverage, wherein
the opening is configured to allow fluid to enter but prevent fluid
from leaking out the opening once inside the beverage container;
filling of said beverage container through the opening distinct
from the mouth, without leakage.
13. The method of claim 13 wherein filling comprises of bottom up
filling.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein filling comprises of side
filling.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the opening is located beneath a
free surface of fluid that is delivered into the beverage
container.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein filling comprises of introducing
fluid below a level of fluid inside the beverage container.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein mechanical force is developed
between the beverage container and said fluid delivery assembly in
order to develop a seal therebetween, allowing bottom-up filling of
said beverage container without leakage.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein the filling occurs in a
pressurized manner to induce fluid mixing inside the container.
19. The method of claim 13 wherein the filling occurs in a
directional manner to induce fluid mixing inside the container.
20. The method of claim 13 further comprising minimizes frothing of
the fluid by introducing fluid into the container at a level
beneath a free surface of fluid already in the container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application No. 60/895,474, filed 18 Mar. 2007 by the present
inventors, fully incorporated herein by reference for all
purposes.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0003] Not applicable
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to beverage service equipment.
Specifically, this invention relates to beverage containers
designed to allow fluids to be introduced through the bottom of the
beverage container rather than through the main opening (mouth) of
the beverage container, and to the associated interfacing and
fluid-feeding hardware.
BACKGROUND
[0005] Conventional methods of dispensing and serving beverages
have historically relied on the introduction of liquids through a
main opening (mouth) in the top of the container, above the plane
of the free surface of the full liquid volume. As beverage service
has become more specialized, shortcomings in traditional methods of
beverage dispensing have become apparent.
[0006] In retail and foodservice settings, beverage dispensing
hardware has become ubiquitous. Traditional soda fountain machines
occupy a considerable amount of countertop area, and usually occupy
a high vertical profile in order to accommodate internal plumbing
and in order to accommodate the full height of a cup under a fill
nozzle. Goepfert (U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,566) addresses the issue of
high-profile beverage dispensers by placing some of the hardware
under a counter, but a large vertical profile is still required
above the counter to accommodate the height of a glass. Farkas
(U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,171) similarly places components under a
countertop, but a tall profile remains above the counter.
[0007] Other methods for eliminating large beverage hardware have
been invented. A multitude of inventions, such as Reichenberger's
(U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,028) and Kado's (U.S. Pat. 7,311,266) have
centered on gun-based beverage dispensers. While these dispensers
eliminate large-profile hardware from the bartop, the dispensing
heads tend to be fragile, droppable, and operable only by
bartenders as opposed to by end consumers.
[0008] As a result of the large space requirements and fragility of
much beverage dispensing hardware, certain potential markets have
been completely ruled out. For instance, beverage dispensers are
not installed on cinema seat armrests due to the large physical
bulk of present beverage dispensing hardware.
[0009] Where conventional soda fountain and post-mix machines are
not in use, considerable countertop and shelf space is often
dedicated to the storage of bottles instead. Regardless of the
means, conventional beverage dispensing can be highly inefficient
in its use of space.
[0010] The flow regimes of dispensing beverages into containers is
likewise an area of development. Certain beverages, especially
carbonated beverages, benefit from specialized flow regimes during
dispensing, either to encourage or mitigate the formation of
froth.
[0011] For instance, some beverages suffer from an excess
accumulation of froth upon dispensing into a conventional beverage
container because of turbulent mixing associated with a jet of
liquid impinging on a free surface. This shortcoming has been
addressed by Younkle (U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,359) simply by
retrofitting an existing beverage dispenser; however, said
apparatus must protrude into the dispensed beverage, causing
potential sanitary issues and impeding access under the tap. Nelson
(U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,909) also addresses froth formation, but his
design poses similar sanitary and access issues. For other types of
beverages, froth is desired. Jamieson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,140)
addresses controlled froth generation, but his approach requires a
lid independent of the beverage container, which in turn requires
cleaning.
[0012] As beverage service has found new physical settings,
conventional hardware set has shown corresponding shortcomings. For
instance, in-flight beverage service on airliners requires the
flight attendant to hold a bottle above a cup steadily enough to
prevent spillage, often while contending with a jerky ride. Nybakke
et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,364) propose several improvements, but
the issue of relative inertial motion between pouring container and
cup still remain unresolved. Filling cups while standing in a
moving aircraft requires considerable skill and practice.
[0013] Mixing beverages requires the use of specific hardware, such
as stirring sticks, spoons, and shakers. These methods of agitation
increase the total number of implements necessary to prepare a
mixed beverage, in addition to generating trash or dirtying
silverware. While prior inventions sought to address these
shortcomings, these methods suffer from cross-contamination issues,
excessive complexity, or requiring that a specialized piece of
hardware be installed on a countertop. Daniels, Jr. (U.S. Pat.
6,527,433) discloses a beverage mixing apparatus which not only
requires dedicated countertop space, but also which requires
cleaning after each use to prevent cross-contamination. Bhavnani
(US Patent 20060126431), Rubenstein (US Patent 20010036124),
Schindlegger Jr. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,504 and 5,720,522), Sampson
(U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,579), and Calhoun et al. (U.S. Pat. No.
4,435,084) all propose beverage containers with integral moving
agitators, which are subject to wear, breakage, and difficulty in
cleaning.
[0014] Cuthbertson et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,390) propose a gas
based mixing scheme integrated into a mug. However, moving parts
are again subject to wear and difficulty in cleaning. Furthermore,
manual pumping actuated on the handle of a container may be
difficult to achieve while simultaneously holding the beverage
container and preventing spillage.
[0015] Previous inventions have incorporated means of outflow
mitigation into beverage containers, but none for the express
purpose of filling the beverage container. De Sole (U.S. Pat. No.
3,355,047) discloses a system of outflow mitigation into the bottom
of a baby bottle, but for the purpose of pressure equalization in a
closed volume. Likewise, Flinn (U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,353) discloses
a water bottle fitted with a check valve at its bottom, for the
purpose of pressure equalization and flow control out of the
bottle. Manganiello et al. disclose a similar arrangement (U.S.
Pat. No. 7,163,113 B2). Cuthbertson et al. (U.S. Pat. No.
6,471,390) include a poppet valve in a beverage container, but for
the purposes of preventing liquid uptake into an air-handling
system. A multitude of inventions include check valves on their
lids for the purposes of spill prevention: Manganiello (U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,050,455 and 6,422,415), Belcastro (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,620
and 6,276,560), and Bunn et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,759).
[0016] In conclusion, insofar as the inventors are aware, no system
of dispensing beverages formerly developed provides a method of
filling beverage containers from the bottom up in order to prevent
spillage, control the formation of froth, save countertop space,
and facilitate mixing.
SUMMARY
[0017] Embodiments of the present invention address at least some
of the drawbacks set forth above. In one embodiment, the present
invention comprises of two parts: a beverage container (especially
a glass) with an open top, a hole or permeable material penetrating
through the bottom or sidewall of the beverage container, and a
means of outflow mitigation (usually a one-way valve); and a mating
fluid delivery assembly, which forms a seal to the beverage
container and provides a pressurized flow of fluid which passes
through the beverage container's hole or permeable channel and
fills the beverage container. The hole or permeable channel may be
engineered specifically to either promote or mitigate foaming.
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method of
filling beverage containers from the bottom up in order to prevent
spillage, control the formation of froth, save countertop space,
and/or facilitate mixing.
[0018] The means of outflow mitigation of the beverage container
may or may not be a one-way valve, which allows flow into the
bottom of the beverage container, but not out of the bottom of the
beverage container. One-way valves of the duckbill, umbrella, and
poppet types are all examples of suitable means of outflow
mitigation. If not a one-way valve, the beverage container's valve
must be both normally closed and actuable from the mated position;
certain spring-loaded and mechanical valves may be employed to such
effect. In order to fill a beverage container with such a valve,
the valve must be actuated open when filling is initiated.
[0019] In addition to forming a seal and providing a path for
pressurized fluid, the fluid delivery assembly may also incorporate
an upstream valve mechanism, which is actuated in order to initiate
filling. The fluid delivery assembly can be fitted with an
electrical valve mechanism for electronic actuation, a mechanical
valve mechanism for manual actuation, a pneumatic valve mechanism
for pneumatic actuation, or any other means of initiating
pressurized fluid delivery. If the fluid delivery assembly is not
fitted with a valve mechanism, provisions must be made in the
upstream fluid plumbing to modulate fluid flow on and off.
[0020] As an alternative embodiment to a valve in the beverage
container, the container could incorporate a weir or perforated
tube which accepts flow from the fluid delivery assembly beneath
the beverage container and dispenses the liquid above the filled
free surface height in the beverage container. In this case,
geometry mitigates outflow of fluid out of the weir and back out
the bottom of the beverage container.
[0021] It is possible that the permeable material and the means of
backflow prevention are achieved with the same, single piece of
material. In this embodiment, the beverage container includes a
hole distinct from the beverage container's mouth. The hole is
filled with a fine porous material, such as sintered stainless
steel. With the porosity of this material selected correctly, fluid
coming from the fluid delivery assembly can be pressurized
sufficiently to flow through the permeable material; however, the
small hydrostatic pressure of the fluid at the bottom of the
beverage container is insufficient to allow appreciable flow back
out the bottom of the beverage container.
[0022] As a means of mixing beverages contained in said beverage
container, gas-phase fluids (such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide)
can be introduced through the fluid delivery assembly, using
bubble-induced turbulent mixing to stir beverage components
together. By flowing gas bubbles through a beverage, more effective
mixing can be effected than with conventional stirring hardware. In
addition, the need for a clean or disposable agitator is
eliminated.
[0023] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
invention will become apparent by reference to the remaining
portions of the specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
beverage container and the fluid delivery assembly, mated together
and sealed to one another.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the assembly of FIGS.
1,3,4,5,6, and 7, mounted as intended in a countertop, and fitted
with a bowl to catch spilled liquids.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
beverage container and the fluid delivery assembly wherein an
alternative type of one-way valve is employed.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
beverage container and the fluid delivery assembly wherein a
perforated tube is employed as a means of backflow prevention.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
beverage container and the fluid delivery assembly wherein a
permeable or semipermeable channel is employed as a means of
backflow prevention.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.
1, with the fluid delivery assembly in fluid communication with the
beverage container, and actively feeding fluid into the beverage
container.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.
1, with the check valve in the bottom of the filled beverage
container closed, and with the beverage container decoupled from
the fluid delivery assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0031] 11 beverage container
[0032] 12 outer elastomeric o-ring seal
[0033] 13 fluid delivery assembly main body
[0034] 14 vacuum pressure feed-in
[0035] 15 pressurized fluid feed-in
[0036] 16 vacuum gage attachment point
[0037] 17 inner elastomeric o-ring seal
[0038] 18 perforated stopper with mount holes for an umbrella check
valve, which hermetically mates with the beverage container through
an interference fit
[0039] 19 umbrella check valve
[0040] 20 interior volume of beverage container
[0041] 25 beverage container mated to fluid delivery assembly, as
installed in a countertop
[0042] 26 fluid delivery assembly main body, as installed in a
countertop
[0043] 27 liquid leakage catch bowl
[0044] 28 countertop
[0045] 30 beverage container
[0046] 31 fluid delivery assembly main body
[0047] 32 pressurized fluid feed-in
[0048] 33 sealing boss integral with fluid delivery assembly main
body
[0049] 34 elastomeric one-way duckbill valve
[0050] 35 interior volume of beverage container
[0051] 40 fluid delivery assembly main body
[0052] 41 pressurized fluid feed-in
[0053] 42 sealing boss integral with fluid delivery assembly main
body
[0054] 43 weir tube
[0055] 44 beverage container
[0056] 45 interior volume of beverage container
[0057] 46 flow perforations at top of weir tube
[0058] 51 beverage container
[0059] 52 outer elastomeric o-ring seal
[0060] 53 fluid delivery assembly main body
[0061] 54 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment
point
[0062] 55 pressurized fluid feed-in
[0063] 56 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment
point
[0064] 57 inner elastomeric o-ring seal
[0065] 58 permeable solid which mates to the beverage container
through an interference fit
[0066] 60 interior volume of beverage container
[0067] 61 beverage container
[0068] 62 outer elastomeric o-ring seal
[0069] 63 fluid delivery assembly main body
[0070] 64 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment
point
[0071] 65 pressurized fluid feed-in
[0072] 66 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment
point
[0073] 67 inner elastomeric o-ring seal
[0074] 68 perforated stopper with mount holes for an umbrella check
valve, which hermetically mates with the beverage container through
an interference fit
[0075] 69 umbrella check valve in the open position; fluid
streamlines pass underneath said umbrella check valve
[0076] 70 interior volume of beverage container
[0077] 71 free surface of beverage
[0078] 81 beverage container
[0079] 82 outer elastomeric o-ring seal
[0080] 83 fluid delivery assembly main body
[0081] 84 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment
point
[0082] 85 pressurized fluid feed-in
[0083] 86 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment
point
[0084] 87 inner elastomeric o-ring seal
[0085] 88 perforated stopper with mount holes for an umbrella check
valve, which hermetically mates with the beverage container through
an interference fit
[0086] 89 umbrella check valve
[0087] 90 interior volume of beverage container
[0088] 91 free surface of beverage
Operation
[0089] All embodiments lend themselves to installation as depicted
in FIG. 2, which generalizes a space-saving in-counter mounting
scheme. A fluid injector assembly (26) is attached to a flanged
liquid leakage catch bowl (27). The catch bowl is recessed into a
countertop (28). A beverage container (25) is mated to the fluid
delivery assembly (26) in order to fill it.
[0090] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, an elastomeric umbrella valve
(19) is fitted into a plastic stopper (18) with flow perforations.
As assembled, the umbrella valve and perforated plastic stopper
comprise an outflow mitigation device. The assembly of the umbrella
valve and perforated plastic stopper are interference-fitted into a
hole in the base of the beverage container (11), in order to form a
liquid-tight seal between the beverage container (11) and the
perforated plastic stopper (18).
[0091] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, an elastomeric one-way duckbill
valve (34) is interference-fitted directly into a hole in the base
of the beverage container (30), forming a liquid-tight seal. In the
embodiment of FIG. 4, an elastomeric perforated weir tube (43) is
interference-fitted directly into a hole in the base of the
beverage container (44), forming a liquid-tight seal. In the
embodiment of FIG. 5, a permeable or semipermeable insert (58),
such as sintered bronze or microporous polymer, is
interference-fitted directly into a hole in the base of the
beverage container (51), forming a substantially liquid-tight seal
under the hydrostatic pressures present at the bottom of the
beverage container when full.
[0092] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, when the beverage container
(11) is brought into contact with the mating fluid delivery
assembly (13), a concentric planar o-ring seal (12, 17) is engaged
between the beverage container and the fluid delivery assembly.
Vacuum suction is supplied (14) and an electronic vacuum sensor is
attached (16). Mechanical pressure in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is
developed in the space between the concentric o-ring seals (12, 17)
as soon as vacuum suction is able to engage. Bringing the flat
bottom of a beverage container into contact with the o-rings (12,
17) sucks the beverage container down firmly into place and
registers a pressure change on the electronic vacuum sensor. The
resulting electronic signal can be used to actuate an electronic
fill valve mechanism upstream of the fluid delivery assembly. The
compressed inner o-ring (17) prevents leakage of the fluid which is
to be introduced.
[0093] In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, the compressed
elastomeric faces of the respective backflow prevention devices
(34, 43) against the faces of integral sealing bosses (33, 42) on
the fluid delivery assemblies (31, 40) prevent leakage of the fluid
being introduced. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, gravity or
sustained manual mechanical downforce by the user is required in
order to effect a reliable seal between the fluid injector assembly
and the beverage container. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, concentric
o-rings (52, 57) are employed to effect a seal between the fluid
delivery assembly and the beverage container using vacuum pressure,
in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0094] Filling is initiated in one of two ways. If
constantly-pressurized fluid is being delivered, a valve mechanism
directly upstream of the fluid delivery assembly is actuated open,
allowing the constantly-pressurized fluid to flow into the fluid
delivery assembly (15, 32, 41, 55, 65, 85). If
dynamically-pressurized fluid is being delivered, a fluid reservoir
upstream of the fluid feed-in (15, 32, 41, 55, 65, 85) is
pressurized in order to initiate filling. In either case,
pressurized fluid consequently flows from the upstream reservoir
and through the fluid delivery assembly (13, 31, 40, 53, 63, 83).
Because of the seal formed between the fluid delivery assembly and
the beverage container, the fluid continues upward, through the
beverage container's hole or permeable surface, through its outflow
mitigation device (18, 19, 34, 43, 58, 68, 69, 88, 89), and into
the beverage container's interior volume (20, 35, 45, 60, 70, 90),
filling it.
[0095] While filling, embodiments employing a one-way valve are
forced into fluid communication with the fluid delivery assembly by
the inflowing fluid, as depicted in FIG. 6. Fluid flows into the
beverage container's interior volume (70) through the open check
valve (69). As long as the feed pressure exceeds the hydrostatic
head due to the free surface height (71), filling will continue and
the valve (69) will remain open.
[0096] Filling is stopped by either closing the valve upstream of
the fluid delivery assembly, by depressurizing the fluid reservoir,
or, if applicable, by actuating the outflow mitigation device
closed.
[0097] If the beverage container's valve is a one-way valve (19,
34, 69, 89), it will close automatically when flow from the fluid
delivery assembly stops. If the beverage container uses a weir
device (43) for outflow mitigation, outflow from the beverage
container will be stemmed automatically, by geometry. If the
beverage container uses a permeable channel for outflow mitigation
(58), outflow from the beverage container will be stemmed
automatically, by lack of differential pressure. If the means of
outflow mitigation is manually actuated, the beverage container's
outflow mitigation device must be actuated closed upon completion
of filling in order to prevent leakage.
[0098] As depicted in FIG. 7, when the beverage container (81) is
brought out of physical contact with the fluid delivery assembly
(83), the seal (82, 87) between the two is broken and the beverage
container can poured from, drunk from, or employed as desired.
Advantages
[0099] From the description above, a number of advantages of some
embodiments of our method and apparatus for the bottom-up filling
of beverage containers become evident: [0100] (a) Countertop area
is used more efficiently as compared to conventional post-mix and
tap-type beverage dispensers. [0101] (b) The vertical profile
required of beverage dispensing hardware is effectively reduced to
zero, allowing beverage service installations in previously
unfeasible locations. [0102] (c) Engineered outflow mitigation
devices can fine-tune flow into beverage containers, controlling
foam and turbulence from container to container. [0103] (d) As the
beverage container is solidly coupled to the fluid delivery
assembly during filling, there is little risk of spillage, even
given a bumpy or jerky reference frame. [0104] (e) Passage of
gas-phase fluids through the outflow mitigation device can
effectively agitate beverages, obviating the need for mechanical
stirring.
Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope
[0105] Accordingly, the reader will see that the method and
apparatus for the bottom-up filling of beverage containers [0106]
can be used to save countertop space and in turn allow beverage
dispensing hardware to enter into previously inaccessible and
impractical locations; [0107] can be used to fill as well as mix a
beverage in a single feed with the same set of hardware; [0108]
and, due to its robustness and small number of moving parts, shift
the role of beverage service away from bartenders and toward end
consumers.
[0109] Although the description above contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
embodiment but merely as providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments.
[0110] For example and not limitation, the filling opening of the
beverage container may be contained on a bottom surface or a side
surface of the container. In some embodiments, there may be one or
more openings for receiving fluid. These openings may all be on the
bottom surface of the vessel. Optionally, they may be only on the
side. Optionally, they may be both on the bottom and the side. The
present invention is not limited to any particular shape or size of
the beverage container. The beverage fluid filling apparatus maybe
a stationary system or it may be a system in motion. By way of
example and not limitation, the filling apparatus may have a spoke
and wheel configuration with a filler at the end of each spoke to
engaged to one or more beverage container. Like a lazy-susan, the
wheel configuration allows different beverages to be rotated to the
desired location for easy access for a user. Others may use a
conveyor belt design to allow beverage containers to be moved for
ease of service or merely for entertainment value. Optionally, a
single opening into the beverage container may be sized and/or
shaped to receive one or more nozzles or fluid inputs. By way of
nonlimiting example, the opening may be oval or racetrack shaped
and receive a nozzle of matching shape that seals against the walls
of the opening. The nozzle may have a septum that provides input
from one liquid from one half of the nozzle and a different fluid
or beverage from the other half. Optionally, the nozzle may have a
coaxial configuration with a tube in the center and an outer tube
surrounding the inner tube. It should be understood that the nozzle
or input is not limited to any particular cross-sectional shape. It
may be circular, triangular, square, polygonal, hexagonal, other
shaped, and/or combinations of the above.
[0111] Thus, the scope of the embodiment should be determined by
the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than and
shown.
* * * * *