U.S. patent application number 12/272889 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-20 for beverage glass with internal decanting, filtering,mixing and aerating cell.
Invention is credited to Dillon Burroughs, James R. Burroughs.
Application Number | 20100122919 12/272889 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42171138 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100122919 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burroughs; James R. ; et
al. |
May 20, 2010 |
BEVERAGE GLASS WITH INTERNAL DECANTING, FILTERING,MIXING AND
AERATING CELL
Abstract
A drinking container for decanting, filtering, mixing and/or
aerating a beverage. The drinking container comprises a bowl having
an upper opening and an aerating cell having a wall, an upper
opening along the top of the cell and at least one perforation
through the wall. The cell is attached to and within the bowl, to
decant, filter, mix and/or aerate a beverage that is poured through
the bowl upper opening and into the cell upper opening, and
subsequently flows through the at least one perforation into the
bowl.
Inventors: |
Burroughs; James R.;
(Beverly Hills, CA) ; Burroughs; Dillon; (Beverly
Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF DELIO & PETERSON, LLC.
121 WHITNEY AVENUE, 3RD FLLOR
NEW HAVEN
CT
06510
US
|
Family ID: |
42171138 |
Appl. No.: |
12/272889 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 2400/045 20130101;
A47G 19/2205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/217 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A drinking container for decanting, filtering, mixing and/or
aerating a beverage comprising: a bowl having an upper opening; and
an aerating cell having an wall, an upper opening along the top of
the cell and at least one perforation through the wall, the cell
being attached to and within the bowl, the cell being adapted to
decant, filter, mix and/or aerate a beverage that is poured through
the bowl upper opening and into the cell upper opening, and
subsequently flows through the at least one perforation into the
bowl.
2. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the cell has a
plurality of perforations in at least a portion of the cell
wall.
3. The drinking container of claim 2 wherein the cell perforations
are all located a distance above a bottom of the bowl a distance
sufficient to permit a desired volume of the beverage to flow
therethrough and into the bowl.
4. The drinking container of claim 2 wherein the cell perforations
extend to a bottom of the bowl.
5. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the cell has a
plurality of perforations in only a portion of the cell wall.
6. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the cell is supported
above a bottom of the bowl.
7. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the cell has a lower
end supported above a bottom of the bowl a distance designating a
desired volume of the beverage to be held in the bowl.
8. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the cell is removably
attached to the bowl.
9. The drinking container of claim 8 wherein the cell has a lip
supported by a rim along the bowl upper opening.
10. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the cell upper
opening has a width less than half that of the bowl upper
opening.
11. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the cell upper
opening has a width greater than half that of the bowl upper
opening.
12. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the cell further
includes a separate, removable filter basket.
13. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the drinking
container is a wine glass having a base and stem supporting the
bowl.
14. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the bowl opening is
larger than the user's mouth.
15. A method of using a drinking container for decanting,
filtering, mixing and/or aerating a beverage comprising: providing
a drinking container having a bowl with an upper opening and,
within the bowl, an aerating cell having a wall, an upper opening
along the top of the cell and at least one perforations through the
wall; providing a beverage; pouring the beverage through the bowl
upper opening into the cell upper opening; and permitting the
beverage to flow through the at least one perforation and into the
bowl, thereby decanting, filtering, mixing and/or aerating the
beverage.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the cell has a plurality of
perforations in at least a portion of the cell wall.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the cell perforations are all
located a distance above a bottom of the bowl sufficient to permit
a desired volume of the beverage to flow therethrough and into the
bowl and the step of permitting the beverage to flow through the at
least one perforation and into the bowl includes terminating the
pouring upon the beverage level reaching about the level of the
cell perforations.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the cell has a lower end
supported above a bottom of the bowl a distance designating a
desired volume of the beverage to be held in the bowl and the step
of permitting the beverage to flow through the at least one
perforation and into the bowl includes terminating the pouring upon
the beverage level reaching about the level of the cell lower
end.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein the cell is removably attached
to the bowl and the cell is removed after permitting the beverage
to flow through the at least one perforation and into the bowl.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the cell has a lip supported by
a rim along the bowl upper opening and the cell lip is placed in
contact with the bowl rim prior to pouring the beverage through the
bowl upper opening into the cell upper opening.
21. The method of claim 15 wherein the cell further includes a
separate, removable filter basket and the filter basket is removed
after permitting the beverage to flow through the at least one
perforation and into the bowl.
22. The method of claim 15 wherein the drinking container is a wine
glass having a base and stem supporting the bowl.
23. A drinking container for changing or maintaining beverage
temperature comprising: a bowl having an upper opening; and a
sealed cell within the bowl containing a substance for cooling or
heating the beverage in the glass without diluting the beverage,
the cell having an upper end marking a desired volume of beverage
within the bowl.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to beverage glasses,
particularly, wine glasses, containing an internal cell for
decanting, filtering, mixing and/or aerating the beverage as it is
poured into the glass.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] A wine glass is generally composed of three parts: the bowl,
stem, and foot. Glasses for red wine are characterized by a
rounder, wider bowl with a larger opening, which permits the wine
to breathe. The shape of the bowl concentrates the flavor and aroma
to emphasize particular characteristics of the wine.
[0005] Beverages made from fruit often contain small solid
particles from the skin or seeds of the fruit which may settle to
the bottom of the beverage container. Wine, in particular, often
contains these particles which may be transferred with the wine to
the wine glass.
[0006] Wine glasses have been made with internal structures to
enhance the swirling and mixing of the wine with air after it has
been poured into the glass, for example, as shown in U.S. Patent
Publication No. US2006/0032855. Other devices for decanting wine as
it is poured are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No.
US2007/0256568. None of these devices provide a structure within
the wine glass itself to permit the decanting, filtering, mixing
and aerating of the wine as it is poured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior
art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
a beverage glass for aerating a beverage upon pouring the beverage
into the beverage glass.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
beverage glass having internal means for decanting, filtering,
mixing and/or aerating a beverage upon pouring the beverage into
the beverage glass.
[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a beverage
glass for changing or maintaining the temperature of a
beverage.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a beverage glass having an interior cell for holding and mixing a
flavored liquid with a beverage.
[0011] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in
part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the
specification.
[0012] The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those
skilled in the art, are achieved in the present invention which is
directed to a drinking container for decanting, filtering, mixing
and/or aerating a beverage. The drinking container comprises a bowl
having an upper opening and an aerating cell having a wall, an
upper opening along the top of the cell and at least one
perforation through the wall. The cell is attached to and within
the bowl, to decant, filter, mix and/or aerate a beverage that is
poured through the bowl upper opening and into the cell upper
opening, and subsequently flows through the at least one
perforation into the bowl.
[0013] Preferably, the cell includes a plurality of cell
perforations in at least a portion of the cell wall and more
preferably the cell perforations are all located a distance above a
bottom of the bowl a distance sufficient to permit a desired volume
of the beverage to flow therethrough and into the bowl.
Alternately, the cell perforations extend to a bottom of the
bowl.
[0014] The drinking container may include a plurality of
perforations in only a portion of the cell wall and may include a
lower end supported above a bottom of the bowl a distance
designating a desired volume of the beverage to be held in the
bowl. The cell may be supported above a bottom of the bowl.
Preferably, the drinking container is a wine glass having a base
and stem supporting the bowl.
[0015] The drinking container may include a cell which is removably
attached to the bowl. Alternately, the cell may have a lip
supported by a rim along the bowl upper opening.
[0016] The drinking container may include a cell having an upper
opening with a width less than half that of the bowl upper opening.
Alternately, the cell upper opening may have a width greater than
half that of the bowl upper opening.
[0017] The drinking container may include a cell having a separate,
removable filter basket. The drinking container may have the bowl
opening larger than the user's mouth.
[0018] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a
method of using a drinking container for decanting, filtering,
mixing and/or aerating a beverage. The method includes providing a
drinking container having a bowl with an upper opening and, within
the bowl, an aerating cell having a wall, an upper opening along
the top of the cell and at least one perforation through the wall.
The method includes providing a beverage, pouring the beverage
through the bowl upper opening into the cell upper opening and
permitting the beverage to flow through the at least one
perforation and into the bowl, thereby decanting, filtering, mixing
and/or aerating the beverage.
[0019] Preferably, the method includes the cell having a plurality
of cell perforations in at least a portion of the cell wall and
more preferably the cell perforations are all located a distance
above a bottom of the bowl a distance sufficient to permit a
desired volume of the beverage to flow therethrough and into the
bowl. The method includes, in the step of permitting the beverage
to flow through the at least one perforation and into the bowl,
terminating the pouring upon the beverage level reaching about the
level of the cell perforations. Alternately, the cell perforations
extend to a bottom of the bowl whereby a first beverage is poured
into the cell and a second beverage is then poured into the bowl,
initiating mixing of the first and second beverages and the step of
permitting the beverage to flow through the at least one
perforation and into the bowl includes terminating the pouring upon
the beverage level reaching about the level of the cell lower
end.
[0020] The method may include providing a plurality of perforations
in only a portion of the cell wall and the cell may include a lower
end supported above a bottom of the bowl a distance designating a
desired volume of the beverage to be held in the bowl. The cell may
be supported above a bottom of the bowl. Preferably, the drinking
container is a wine glass having a base and stem supporting the
bowl and the beverage is a wine.
[0021] The method may include providing a drinking container having
a cell which is removably attached to the bowl wherein the cell is
removed after permitting the beverage to flow through the at least
one perforation and into the bowl. Alternately, the cell may have a
lip supported by a rim along the bowl upper opening wherein the
cell lip is placed in contact with the bowl rim prior to pouring
the beverage through the bowl upper opening into the cell upper
opening
[0022] The drinking container may include a cell having an upper
opening with a width less than half that of the bowl upper opening.
Alternately, the cell upper opening may have a width greater than
half that of the bowl upper opening.
[0023] The drinking container may include a cell having a separate,
removable filter basket and the filter basket may be removed after
permitting the beverage to flow through the at least one
perforation and into the bowl. The drinking container preferably
has the bowl opening larger than the user's mouth.
[0024] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a
drinking container for changing or maintaining beverage
temperature. The drinking container comprises a bowl having an
upper opening and a sealed cell within the bowl containing a
substance for cooling or heating the beverage in the glass without
diluting the beverage. The cell has an upper end marking a desired
volume of beverage within the bowl.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The features of the invention believed to be novel and the
elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with
particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for
illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The
invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of
operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed
description which follows taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a beverage glass according to the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a beverage glass showing the flow of the beverage
through an integrated internal cell according to the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a beverage glass having a removable perforated
cell and volume indicator.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a second embodiment of the beverage glass
according to the present invention
[0030] FIG. 5 is a third embodiment of the beverage glass according
to the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a fourth embodiment of the beverage glass
according to the present invention
[0032] FIG. 7 is a beverage glass having a removable screen filter
in the internal cell.
[0033] FIG. 8A is an exploded view of another embodiment of the
beverage glass having a removable decanting cell according to the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 8B is a collapsed view of the beverage glass shown in
FIG. 8A.
[0035] FIG. 9 is a beverage glass having an integrated internal
cooling cell according to the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 10 is a beverage glass having an integrated internal
cell for a flavoring liquid according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0037] In describing the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, reference will be made herein to FIGS. 1-10 of the
drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the
invention.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, a beverage drinking container or glass
10 includes a bowl 20 having a wide opening 24 at the top,
preferably a glass bowl similar to that of an ordinary wine glass,
an elongated lower stem 50 and a foot or base 52 for supporting the
beverage glass on a flat horizontal surface. The beverage glass
includes within the bowl a smaller internal cell or compartment 30
of cylindrical configuration having a side surface or wall 31, an
upper opening 32 and at least one, and preferably multiple,
perforations 34 distributed evenly on and extending through the
side wall(s) thereof. The perforated internal cell provides
decanting, filtering, mixing and/or aerating of a beverage upon
pouring the beverage into the bowl beverage glass through the
opening of the bowl. The internal cell or pod 30 is supported
within the interior of bowl 20 by a support structure or stem 36
such that the top of the cell is no higher than the top opening 24
of the bowl, and the bottom of the cell is above the bottom of the
bowl.
[0039] A method of using the beverage glass 10 for decanting,
filtering, mixing and/or aerating of a beverage is shown in FIG. 2.
The wine 62 is poured from a wine bottle 80 through bowl opening 24
into the upper opening 32 of cell 30. As the cell fills with the
wine, gravity forces the wine to flow through the plurality of
perforations 34 and into the bowl 20, filtering any particle
present in the wine which drops below the perforations or is too
large to pass through the perforations. As wine stream 62' exits
the perforations, the surface area of the wine exposed to the
atmosphere is increased and allows for more efficient aeration of
the wine than would be provided by pouring the wine directly into
the wine glass bowl.
[0040] Preferably, the method includes providing the beverage glass
having a bowl, an aerating cell having an exterior surface, an
upper opening along the top of the surface and a plurality of
perforations on the surface integrated within the bowl of the
beverage glass. The method includes pouring the beverage into the
upper opening 32 of the aerating cell 30 and allowing the beverage
to permeate through the perforations of the exterior surface 31.
The method decants, mixes, aerates and/or filters the beverage 62
flowing through the cell 30 and into the glass bowl 20 outside of
and below the cell.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows additional features of the self decanting
beverage glass 10' which includes a removable aerating portion 30
which is attached and connected to the support structure 36. The
support structure 36 may be removably or permanently integrally
attached to the lower surface of bowl 20 or to a top end of stem
50. Preferably the support structure 36 fits slidingly in a support
socket 38 whereby cell 30 may be easily inserted or removed from
the socket. Volume indication line 22, which is etched in or
otherwise applied to the bowl to indicate a standard portion or
pour of wine or beverage, is at the same level and coincides with
the lower end 33 of cell 30. A specific volume value may
additionally be indicated along line 22.
[0042] In FIG. 3, the perforations 34 extend vertically all along
the side of cell 30 between the bottom 33 and top 32. FIG. 4 shows
another embodiment of the beverage glass wherein the perforations
34 are disposed only on the upper half of cell 30', with the lower
half of the cell being solid and free of perforations. In this
embodiment, cell 30' provides a decanting feature to prevent
sediment from flowing from cell 30' to glass bowl 20. The
embodiment shown in FIG. 5 include perforations 34 disposed only on
the lower 20% of the cell 30'', with the upper 80% of the cell side
walls being solid and free of perforations. The internal cell may
be made with any desired vertical portion of the side walls having
perforations therein, with the remainder of the side walls being
solid. The perforations may be located in the bottom wall of the
cell, in addition to or as an alternative to perforations in the
side walls. In the embodiment where the glass is used for aeration
and/or filtration of the beverage, the lowermost perforations
should be above the bottom of the bowl a sufficient distance for
the desired volume of the aerated or filtered beverage to be
contained within the bowl.
[0043] FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the aerating cell
30''' which may be shallower and wider than those of FIGS. 1-5. The
aerating portion 30''' is attached and connected to the top of the
support structure 36, includes perforations 34 in the lower wall of
the cell, and provides a larger upper opening 32' so the wine
poured from the bottle is less likely to bypass the aeration cell.
In this embodiment, the width or diameter of cell 30''' is greater
than half of the width or diameter of the opening 24 of the bowl
20.
[0044] In another embodiment of the beverage glass shown in FIG. 7,
the aerating cell 30 includes a separate, removable filter basket
70 for improved filtering of the beverage. In addition, the filter
basket includes a handle 72 which allows easier insertion and
removal into and from the aerating cell 30. This also allows for
easier disposal of any particles or sediment filtered from the
wine.
[0045] In another embodiment of the beverage glass shown in the
exploded view of FIG. 8A, an aeration cell 100 or cup may be
disposed on the rim 104 of a beverage glass 20 and supported by a
lip 102 on the periphery of the upper opening 106 of the cell. The
aeration cell 100 also includes a bottom wall 104 and a side wall
108 extending between the upper opening and the bottom wall. The
side wall 108 includes perforations 34' spaced at least distance d
from the bottom surface 104. The perforations are preferably spaced
from the bottom surface a distance sufficient to allow particles
and sediment in the wine to accumulate on the bottom surface
without passing through the perforations 34' and into the bowl
20.
[0046] FIG. 8B shows aeration cell 100 in position on the bowl 20
of the beverage glass and a beverage 62 being poured therein. As
the beverage level in the aeration cell reaches the perforations,
the beverage begins to flow through the perforations and into the
bowl 20. Lip 102 may be made to fit the rims of a variety of
beverage glasses.
[0047] FIG. 9 shows a wine or beverage glass 12 for changing or
maintaining a desired temperature of the beverage. The beverage
glass includes a bowl 20', a sealed temperature cell or pod 90, a
stem 50 and a foot 52. The temperature cell or pod 90 contains a
solid, liquid or gel substance for cooling the beverage in the
glass without diluting the beverage and is disposed inside the bowl
20'. The substance is sealed within the pod 90 so the beverage is
not contaminated thereby. Alternatively, the substance may also be
used to heat the liquid in the bowl. Preferably, the highest point
on the pod marks a specific volume of beverage, such as a standard
portion or pour of wine, and is at the same level as volume
indicating mark 22 on bowl 20'.
[0048] FIGS. 1-9 include embodiments of beverage glass of the
present invention which work particularly well with wine, although
they may be used with other beverages as well. The characteristics
of red wine improve after the wine has been properly aerated and
the features of the above embodiments provides for efficient
aeration as well as decanting and filtration of particles which may
be present in many bottles of wine.
[0049] FIG. 10 shows a beverage glass for mixing a beverage with a
liquid flavoring. The preferred beverage glass 14 comprises a
conical bowl 20'', a flavoring pod 96, an elongated stem 50 and a
base 52. The flavoring cell or pod 96 is preferably a fluted cell
having a wider upper opening 98 and a plurality of upper
perforations 94 and lower perforations 92 disposed on the side
walls. Cell 96 is preferably non-removably integrated within the
bowl of the beverage glass, but alternatively may be made to
removable therefrom. The perforations alternately may be disposed
only on the upper portion of the cell, or only on the lower portion
of the cell, rather than on both portions. Beverage glass 14 is
particularly useful for martinis, where a flavoring liquid may be
introduced into cell 96 and subsequently mixed with the vodka or
gin in the bowl.
[0050] Although the drinking container is described herein as a
glass, in the preferred embodiment it also encompasses cups,
tumblers and other beverage containers having bowl openings larger
than an individual user's mouth and intended for serving an
individual portion of a beverage. The drinking container along with
the internal cell may be made of a material other than glass, for
example, acrylic or other plastic, and may be transparent,
translucent or opaque.
[0051] Thus, the present invention provides an improved beverage
glass having an internal cell for decanting, filtering, mixing
and/or aerating a beverage upon pouring the beverage into the
beverage glass. The invention also provides an improved beverage
glass with an internal cell for changing the temperature of a
beverage, or for holding and mixing a flavored liquid within a
beverage.
[0052] While the present invention has been particularly described,
in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, it is evident
that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing
description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims
are not limited to the specific preferred embodiments disclosed
herein and will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and
variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the
present invention.
* * * * *