US3490290A

US3490290A - Measuring device for mixed drinks

Info

Publication number: US3490290A
Application number: US735631A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward B Bilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-06-10
Filing date: 1968-06-10
Publication date: 1970-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 1987-01-20

Description

Jan. 20, 1970 E- B. BILSON MEASURING DEVICE FOR MIXED DRINKS Filed June 10, 1968 FIG.2

FIG.1

FIG. 3

INVENTOI? EDWARD B. B/L soxv ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,490,290 MEASURING DEVICE FOR MIXED DRINKS Edward B. Bilson, 3716 N. Drake Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60618 Filed June 10, 1968, Ser. No. 735,631 Int. Cl. G01f 19/00 US. Cl. 73427 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A measuring device comprises a cup having integral sections of definite volumetric capacities with an opening through the bottom. A pouring spout hinged adjacent the bottom of the cup has an upwardly projecting plug of neoprene or similar material that fits in the opening to seal it. The spout is spring pressed to hold it in sealing position. When the desired volumes of different ingredients are poured into the cup, the spout may be moved pivotally downwardly to remove the sealing plug from the. opening so that the contents will spill into the spout and pour into a mixing receptacle or glass.

This invention relates to a measuring device for mixed drinks, and is particularly concerned with means for receiving predetermined volumes of different liquids, holding them, and then pouring the mixture into a mixing receptable or glass.

In mixing drinks it is customary to pour each ingredient from its container into a measuring device, such as a small glass or a spoon, and then pour it from the glass or spoon into a larger glass or a mixing receptacle. Each of these pouring operations takes some time and also offers an opportunity for the user to spill some of the ingredients. Even if none of the liquids are spilled, a small portion of each will adhere to the spoon or small glass. Often successive drinks made from the same recipe are not uniform because the amount of liquid sticking to the small glass or spoon may vary.

The measuring device of the present invention reduces the possibility of variances in the composition of a mixed drink by eliminating the necessity of pouring each ingredient separately from a small glass or spoon. The measuring device comprises a single cup having a plurality of integral sections. Each ingredients is accurately measured as it is poured into the cup, and all of the ingredients are poured out of the cup as a mixture instead of being separately poured from individual measuring devices. The bottom of the cup has an opening that is normally sealed by a plug mounted on a pouring spout. A spring exerts a constant force urging the pouring spout into sealing position. When the mixture is to be poured from the cup, the pouring spout is moved from sealing position by finger pressure exerted against the spring.

Suitable structure by means of which the above mentioned and other advantages of the invention are attained is fully described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a measuring device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view; and

FIG. 4 is a view with a portion of the device broken away and with the pouring spout in pouring position.

Referring to the drawings, a cup 11 of approximately conical shape comprises a bottom wall 12 and an outwardly flared side wall 13 offset at various heights to provide integral sections. The cup is preferably plastic, but may be made of any suitable material that is not deleteri- "ice ously affected by alcohol. A flat annular rim 14 projecting inwardly from the side wall defines the upper edge of each section of the cup. Each section has a definite volumetric capacity that may be marked in any suitable manner on the outer surface of the side wall. The annular rims make it easy to see when each section is filled, and thus facilitates accurate measurement of the various ingredients of the mixed drink as they are poured into the cup. After it has been poured into the cup, they are poured from the cup into a glass or mixing receptacle through an opening 15 in the bottom wall 12 and a pouring spout 16 located below the opening.

A lug 17, preferably integral with the cup 11, extends downwardly from the side wall 13 on the outside of the cup and terminates in laterally spaced relationship to the bottom wall 12. The pouring spout 16 comprises a bottom wall 18 and an upstanding side wall 19. A pair of spaced parallel ears 20 project upwardly from the bottom wall 18 adjacent opposite sides of the lower end portion of the lug 17. A pin 21, projecting through apertures in both ears 20 and the lug 17, pivotally secures the pouring spout to the lug 17. The bottom wall 18 of the cup extends beyond the cars 20, and a bar 22, integral with the pouring spout extends upwardly and outwardly from the end of the wall 18 beyond the cars 20. When the bar 22 is pressed toward or away from the side wall 13, the pouring spout moves pivotally about the pin 21. A spring 23 exerts a constant force urging the bar 22 outwardly, thus holding the bottom wall of the pouring spout against the bottom of the cup.

A plug 24 that is fixed to the bottom wall 18 projects above it to provide a fiat top surface larger than the opening 15. When the spring holds the bar 22 in its outermost position, the plug 24 seals the opening 15 in the bottom wall of the cup. The upstanding wall 19 is circularly disposed throughout most of its length and encircles a substantial portion of the bottom of the cup, leaving a gap adjacent the side of the cup most remote from the bar 22. The side wall 19 is bent from its circular configuration at each end of said gap to provide a pair of spaced

parallel wall sections

25 and 26 that cooperate with a downwardly inclined portion 27 of the bottom wall 18 to form a lip for the pouring spout 16.

The side wall 13 has a finger grip 28 projecting therefrom in diametrically opposed relationship to the lug 17. When the mixture is to be poured from the cup 11, the finger grip 28 and the bar 22 are both gripped in the users hand. A squeezing action pushes the bar inwardly against the action of the spring 23, thus moving the pouring spout clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, about the pivot 21. This pivotal movement of the pouring spout disengages the plug 24 from the opening 15, and the mixture flows downwardly through the opening 15 and the spout 16. When the pressure holding the bar 22 against the sidewall of the cup is released, the spring 23 moves the pouring spout counterclockwise to cause the plug 24 to again seal the opening 15.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of the invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details of structure may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact structure disclosed.

I claim:

1. A measuring device comprising a measuring cup and a pouring spout, said measuring cup comprising a circular bottom wall having an aperture and an outwardly flared side wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, a lug projecting from the outer surface of said side wall, means pivotally securing said pouring spout to said lug with said pouring spout positioned below said aperture, a plug mounted on said pouring spout and selectively engageable with said aperture to seal it, and means resiliently urging said pouring spout into a position with said plug sealing said aperture. 1

2. A measuring device as recited in claim 1, in which said side wall has a plurality of inwardly extending annular rims spaced vertically at various intervals to define the upper edges of a plurality of interconnected sections of definite volumetric capacities.

3. A measuring device as recited in claim 1, in which said pouring spout comprises a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall encircling a major portion of the bottom of said cup and providing a gap diametrically opposite said lug, the side wall of said pouring spout extending outwardly at each end of said gap and cooperating with the bottom wall of said spout t0 define a pouring lip.

4. A measuring device as recited in claim 2, in which the bottom-Wall of said pouring spout extends beyond said pivot means and said second mentioned means com- 42,684 5/1864 Otis 73427 X 1,094,350 4/1914 Walter 141345 1,330,537 2/1920 Hoyt 73426 X 1,401,763 12/ 1921 Damon 73427 X LOUIS R. PRINCE, Primary Examiner DANIEL M. YASICH, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 14l345; 2201