AU2018200670A1 - Apparatus for holding at least one beverage container and cooling and dispensing contents thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

ll:\gw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\GW\16371482_1.docx-29/01 2018 There is disclosed an apparatus for holding at least one beverage container and for cooling and dispensing contents of the or each container, comprising: cooling means; and dispensing means connectable to the container(s) so as to be operable to dispense the contents from the container(s). - 20 -20 W-3c--r-ar -3c---1I I---1A Fig 1A Fig 1B 30 36 38 30 - -- 3 -.- 42 Fig 2A Fig 2B

Description

APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AT LEAST ONE BEVERAGE CONTAINER AND

COOLING AND DISPENSING CONTENTS THEREOF

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for holding one or more beverage containers and for cooling and dispensing the contents thereof. The invention also relates to a beverage cooling and dispensing assembly comprising the apparatus and the container(s) held by the apparatus.

[0002] Beverage containers and their contents are often on display in bars or pubs, so that customers may easily view the range of beverage available. In particular, spirit or liquor containers can be mounted on a wall and provided with drink dispensing heads which allows the convenient dispensing of the beverage on demand. However, these beverages are only dispensed at room temperature. Customers often wish their beverages to be provided at temperatures below room temperature.

[0003] Currently, to provide a cool or cold beverage, beverage containers are usually housed in a refrigerator. The chilled beverage containers, such as spirit or liquor containers, therefore may not be as easily visible to a customer. Further, the housing of these beverage containers within a refrigerator does not provide convenient or easy dispensing of the spirits or liquors.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for holding at least one beverage container and for cooling and dispensing contents of the or each container, comprising: cooling means; and dispensing means connectable to the container(s) so as to be operable to dispense the contents from the container(s).

[0005] Preferably, the cooling means is arranged to cool said contents within the or each container.

[0006] Preferably, the cooling means comprises at least one cooling element receivable in a respective said container to cool the contents within that container.

[0007] The dispensing means can comprise at least one liquid holder configured to couple to an outlet of a respective said container, the apparatus being operable to effect transfer of a portion of the contents of the or each container to the liquid holder coupled to the outlet thereof, and operable to dispense the transferred portion from the or each liquid holder, wherein the cooling means comprises at least one cooling portion in the or each liquid holder to cool the transferred portion therein.

[0008] Preferably, the apparatus is operable such that the transferred portion is a predetermined measure of said contents.

[0009] Preferably, the or each cooling portion is defined by an element extending within an interior of a respective said liquid holder so as to contact directly the transferred portion therein. More preferably, said cooling portion is coiled. Even more preferably, the or each cooling portion is defined by a part of a respective said element.

[0010] The dispensing means can comprise at least one connector rotatable from a first position, in which it can be connected to an outlet of a respective said container when substantially upright, to a second position which is such that the container, to the outlet of which it is connected, is inverted whereby the dispensing means is operable to dispense the contents therefrom.

[0011] The apparatus can further comprise an enclosure configured to house the beverage container(s) and wherein the cooling means is arranged to cool an interior of the enclosure so as to cool the housed container(s).

[0012] Preferably, the dispensing means is connectable to the housed container(s) so as to be operable to dispense contents from the container(s) external to said interior.

[0013] Therefore, the apparatus provides the advantage of providing cool or cold beverages which can be easily and conveniently dispensed.

[0014] The enclosure can be configured to house the container(s) inverted and wherein the dispensing means comprises at least one dispenser head, the or each head being connectable to a said container. In this way, the contents from any beverage container in the enclosure can be dispensed individually for convenience.

[0015] The enclosure can be configured with at least one opening through a wall thereof, and the or each dispenser head is mountable to the enclosure through a respective said opening. The beverage can therefore be dispensed without removing the beverage container from the enclosure.

[0016] The apparatus can further comprise a retainer for releasably holding the or each dispenser head when mounted.

[0017] The or each retainer can have a retaining element which is movable between a first position wherein the retaining element permits insertion and withdrawal of the or each respective dispenser head, and the respective container when connected to it, through a lower end of the respective opening and a second position wherein the retaining element precludes said insertion and withdrawal.

[0018] The apparatus can be configured such that in the first position, the or each retaining element permits access to the respective opening, to allow said insertion and withdrawal, and in the second position, the or each retaining element at least partially occludes that opening to preclude said insertion and withdrawal.

[0019] Preferably, the or each retaining element has a space or aperture and is arranged such that the space or aperture is in alignment with said lower end when the retaining element is in the first position, such that the respective dispenser head, and the respective container when connected to it, passes through the space or aperture during said insertion and withdrawal, and is out of alignment with said lower end when the retaining element is in the second position.

[0020] The apparatus can further comprise resilient biasing means to maintain the retaining element in the second position.

[0021] The enclosure can include at least one viewing section through which the container(s) housed by the enclosure can be viewed in a manner enabling identification of the or each beverage. The or each viewing section can be defined by a window. These features provide the advantage of allowing any beverage to be dispensed to be first easily identified by a person, such as a customer or worker.

[0022] The enclosure can include at least one door openable to permit mounting of the container(s) in said interior and removal of the container(s) from said interior. The or each door can comprise a said window. Therefore, the beverage containers can be easily inserted or removed from the enclosure.

[0023] The enclosure can be defined by a cabinet. The cabinet can be wall-mountable. This allows the enclosure to be mounted on a wall which provides easy and convenient viewing of the beverage containers.

[0024] The enclosure can be divided into compartments and can be configured such that each compartment houses at least one said container. The apparatus can be configured such that the enclosure houses containers side-by-side. The apparatus can be configured such that the enclosure houses the containers in staggered relation. An apparatus can be configured such that the housed containers are arranged in overlapping relation. The enclosure can be separated into compartments each of which is arranged to hold one or more of the containers. The apparatus can house the beverage containers in different relationships so as to provide a more efficient packing arrangement.

[0025] The apparatus can comprise lighting to illuminate the housed container(s) in a manner such that the illumination thereof is visible. The lighting can illuminate the contents or labels of one or more of the beverage containers to facilitate viewing of the contents or labels thereof. Preferably, one or more of the compartments can comprise lighting. The cooling means can be positioned in an upper position of the apparatus and the lighting can be positioned proximate or adjacent to the cooling means. The lighting can comprise incandescent or fluorescent bulbs or LED lighting.

[0026] The apparatus can be for plural said containers. The apparatus can be configured to hold at least one liquor container.

[0027] The cooling means can be defined by a conventional refrigeration unit or system, as known in the art. The cooling means can be operable to cool said interior to a temperature of 0°C or less. The cooling means can be operable to cool said interior to a temperature of between -40°C and -15°C. Therefore, cool or cold beverages can be provided. The cooling means can comprise freezer or evaporator coils. The freezer or evaporator coils can be at least partially housed in the enclosure. The freezer or evaporator coils can be adapted to form shapes representing text or graphic material.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage cooling and dispensing assembly comprising an apparatus as described above; and said container(s), wherein the dispensing means is connected to the container(s) so as to operable to dispense the contents from the container(s).

[0029] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage cooling and dispensing assembly comprising an apparatus as described above; the beverage container(s) is housed by said enclosure, wherein the dispensing means is connected to the container(s) so as to operable to dispense the contents from the container(s).

[0030] The or each container can hold liquor. The or each container can be a liquor bottle. The liquor can comprise spirit.

[0031] The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0032] Figures 1A and IB show side and front views, respectively of an apparatus for holding a row of beverage containers and for cooling and dispensing contents of the containers, according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [0033] Figures 2A and 2B show side and front views, respectively of an apparatus for holding a staggered configuration of beverage containers and for cooling and dispensing contents of the containers, according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [0034] Figure 2C is a perspective view showing a dispenser head before being mounted within a lower end of an opening in the apparatus of the first or second embodiment with a retainer of the apparatus in a first position to allow insertion of the dispenser head into the lower end of the opening and removal of the dispenser from the lower end of the opening; [0035] Figure 2D is a perspective view showing the dispenser head located in the lower end of the opening with the retainer in the first position; [0036] Figure 2E is a view through section X-X marked in Figure 2D; [0037] Figure 2F is a perspective view of the dispenser head located in the lower end of the opening, with the retainer in a second position precluding withdrawal of the dispenser head from the lower end of the opening; and [0038] Figure 2G is a view through section Y-Y marked in Figure 2F; [0039] Figure 2H is a side view of a beverage container connected to a dispenser head in preparation for insertion thereof in the lower end of the opening; [0040] Figure 21 is a perspective view of an alternative to the embodiments of Figures 1A to 2B where the front wall of the enclosure comprises a window; [0041] Figure 3 shows a side view of an apparatus for cooling the contents of at least one beverage container and dispensing the cooled contents, according to a third embodiment of the invention; and [0042] Figure 4 shows a side view of an apparatus for cooling the contents of at least one beverage container and dispensing the cooled contents, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0043] In general, the present invention is directed to an apparatus that can hold beverage containers, such as bottles, and cool the contents thereof, and which is operable to dispense the contents of the beverage containers, in a way that may be both easy and convenient. In particular, if the beverage containers contain spirits or liquors, the apparatus may provide a quick way to dispense amounts of chilled or cold spirits or liquors.

[0044] Referring now to Figures 1A and IB, there are shown views of an apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10 comprises an enclosure 12 that houses beverage containers 14. The beverage containers 14 are inverted, so that the openings of the beverage containers 14 are set near or at the bottom of the enclosure 12.

[0045] A cooling means 16 comprising a refrigeration unit or freezer unit, located above the enclosure 12, cools the enclosure 12 and beverage containers 14 to a desired temperature.

[0046] The beverage containers 14 contain spirits or liquors, which may be chilled to less than -20 degrees Celsius, to provide very cold beverages.

[0047] In Figure 1A, there is shown a side view of an enclosure 12 where a side profile of the beverage container(s) 14 can be seen. Figure IB shows a front view of the enclosure 12 separated into three compartments or cabinets 18. Each compartment 18 includes a door 20, which includes a window 22. The window 22 of each compartment 18 allows the contents and labels of the beverage containers 14 to be viewed easily. Separation of the enclosure 12 into separate compartments or cabinets 18, each with its own door, allows the beverage containers 14 to be exchanged or replaced without allowing the cold to escape from the entire enclosure 12.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1A, each beverage container 14 is fitted with a dispenser head 24 which can dispense a measured amount, e.g. a shot, of the liquor or spirits, or any other beverage, directly into a vessel, such as a glass or cup. The dispenser head 24 can be connected to the open end of each beverage container 14 before being mounted into a lower end of respective openings (see Figure 2H) provided in the bottom wall of the enclosure 12, as is described further later. Alternatively, the dispenser heads 24 can be fixed within a bottom wall of the enclosure 12, such that the open ends of the beverage containers 14 are inserted directly into the enclosure 32.

[0049] Figure IB shows that each compartment or cabinet 18 holds three beverage containers 14 side-by-side in a row, which allows the beverage containers 14 to be plainly seen. Figure 1A shows the apparatus 10, and in particular the enclosure 12 thereof, is arranged to contain a single row of beverage containers 14. This provides the advantage that the apparatus 10 can be mounted to a wail and is spatially efficient.

[0050] Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, there are shown views of an apparatus 30 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 30 comprises an enclosure 32 that houses beverage containers 34, 46. The beverage containers 34, 46 are inverted, so that the openings of the beverage containers 34, 46 are set near or at the bottom of the enclosure 32.

[0051] A cooling means 34, comprising a refrigeration unit or freezer unit, located above the enclosure 32, cools the enclosure 32 and beverage containers 34, 46 to a desired temperature. The cooling means 36 can comprise freezer or evaporator coils (not shown) which can be partially or wholly housed in the enclosure 32. These freezer or evaporator coils can be adapted to form specific shapes representing text or graphic material.

[0052] The beverage containers 34, 46 contain spirits or liquors, which may be chilled to less than -20 degrees Celsius, to provide exceedingly cold beverages.

[0053] In Figure 2A, there is shown a side view of an enclosure 32 where side profiles of the beverage container(s) 34, 46 can be seen. Figure 2B shows a front view of the enclosures 32, each separated into three compartments or cabinets 38. Each compartment 38 includes a door 40 having a window 42. The window 42 of each compartment 38 allows the contents and labels of the beverage containers 34, 46 to be viewed easily. Separation of the enclosure 32 into separate compartments or cabinets 38, each with its own door 40, allows the beverage containers 34, 46 to be exchanged or replaced without allowing the cold to escape from the entire enclosure 32.

[0054] In an alternative to the embodiments of Figures 1A to 2B, (see Figure 21), the enclosure 114 can comprise a single compartment 116. The compartment 116 includes a window 118 to allow the contents and labels of the beverage containers to be viewed easily. In such an alternative, as the compartment 116 does not have a door in the front wall of the enclosure 114, the beverage containers are exchanged or replaced by first connecting each beverage container to a respective dispenser head 120 which is then inserted into a lower end of a respective opening 122 in a bottom wall of the enclosure 114, which will be described in more detail later.

[0055] In Figures 2A and 2B, each beverage container 34, 46 is fitted with a dispenser head 44 which can dispense a measured amount, e.g. a shot, of the liquor or spirits, or any other beverage, directly into a vessel, such as a glass or cup. The dispenser heads 44 can be connected to the open ends of the beverage containers 34, 46 before being mounted into a lower end of openings (see Figure 2H) provided in the bottom wall of the enclosure 32, as is described further later. Alternatively, the dispenser heads 44 can be fixed within a bottom wall of the enclosure 32, such that the open ends of the beverage containers 34, 46 are inserted directly into enclosure 32.

[0056] Figure 2B shows that each compartment or cabinet 38 includes five beverage containers 34, 46. In each cabinet 38, the beverage containers 34, 46 are arranged in two rows; the front row holds three beverage containers 34 while the rear row holds two beverage containers 46. The rows are staggered so that the contents or labels of all the beverage containers 34, 46, including those of the containers 46 in the rear row, are viewable through the window 42. This configuration also allows for efficient positioning of the beverage containers 34, 46 in the enclosure 32, as also seen in Figure 2A. Again, the apparatus 30 can be mounted to a wall, so as to provide a display of beverage containers 34, 46 from which a beverage can be dispensed easily and conveniently in a bar or pub environment.

[0057] Each enclosure 12, 32 can be provided with lighting (not shown) which functions to illuminate the beverage containers 14, 34, 46 such that the contents and/or labels of the beverage containers 14, 34, 46 are easier to view. Further, one or more of the compartments or cabinets 18, 38 can be provided with lighting. The lighting can be provided at the tops of the interiors of the enclosures, compartments or cabinets 12, 18, 32, 38, between the beverage containers 14, 34, 46 and the cooling means 16, 36. Even further, lighting can consist of one or more incandescent or fluorescent light globes or LED lighting or any other type of lighting means as known in the art.

[0058] Figures 2C to 2G are perspective and cross-section views showing one of the dispenser heads 24 or 44 being mounted in a respective opening 100 of the apparatus 10, 30 of Figures 1A to 2B. The dispenser head 24 or 44 is connectable to the open end of a beverage container 14 or 34, in a conventional manner known to a person skilled in the art, (see Figure 2H) before being mounted in the lower end of the opening 100 (as described below) so that the dispenser head 24 or 44 is operable to dispense the contents of the beverage container 14 or 34 therefrom.

[0059] The apparatus 10, 30 has a retainer 102, adjacent a lower end of the opening 100, for releasably holding the dispenser head 24 or 44 within the opening 100. The retainer 102 has an aperture 104 sized to allow insertion of the dispenser head 24 or 44 and associated beverage container 14 or 34 therethrough. The retainer 102 is slidable relative to the opening 100 between a first position wherein the aperture 104 is aligned with the opening 100 thereby allowing insertion of the dispenser head 24 or 44 and container 14 through the aperture 104 and into the opening 100 (see Figures 2D and 2E) and a second position wherein the aperture 104 and opening 100 are out of alignment, whereby the retainer 102 partially occludes the opening 100, thereby precluding the insertion or withdrawal of the dispenser head 24 or 44 (see Figures 2F and 2G).

[0060] The retainer 102 has two pairs of slots 108, one to the front of the aperture 104 and the other to the rear of the aperture 104. Received through each slot 108 is a respective pin 110 depending from the enclosure 12 or 32, at a lower end of which is arranged a retaining element, on which the retainer 102 is supported, such that the retainer 102 is retained adjacent the opening 100. The pins 110 constrain the retainer 102 to linear movement between the first and second positions.

[0061] The apparatus 10, 30 includes, associated with each retainer 102, a respective resilient biasing means, in the form of a spring 106 (see Figures 2E and 2G), to bias the retainer 102 towards the secondposition thereby maintaining it in that position when no external load is applied to the retainer 102. The retainer 102 has a handle portion or tab 112, located adjacent to a front side of the enclosure 12 or 32 so as to be engageable by hand such that the retainer 102 can be moved, against the resilient bias of the spring 106, from its second position into its first position, whereby the interconnected container 14, 34 and dispenser head 24 or 44 can be inserted or withdrawn through the aperture 104.

[0062] In Figure 3, there is shown a schematic side view of an apparatus 48 for cooling the contents of at least one beverage container 50 and dispensing the cooled contents, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 48 comprises cooling means 52 (which, again, can include a refrigeration system or unit), one or more mounts 66, the or each mount (like the mounts in the previous embodiments) being configured to support a respective said container, and dispensing means 54 operable to dispense the contents of the container(s) 50. The or each mount 66 is configured to hold the respective container/bottle 50 in an inverted orientation, and comprises an arm 68, projecting away from a housing 56 of the cooling means and rotatably attached to the housing via a swivel connector 67 (for reasons which will be explained shortly), and a connector or fitting 69 arranged to couple to the outlet end/mouth of the container/bottle 50.

[0063] The cooling means 52, comprising a refrigeration unit or freezer unit, is arranged to cool the contents of the container 50 and includes, associated with the or each mount, a respective cooling element 58, such as a freezer or evaporator element, that extends from within the housing 56, through the connector 67 and arm 68 (the latter preferably being insulated to restrict heat transfer from ambient air, through the arm wall, to the element 58) and terminates in an elongate or rod-like portion 59 which projects, beyond the connector/fitting 69, to be receivable in the respective container 50.

[0064] The dispensing means 54 includes, for the or each container 50, a respective liquid holder 60 which couples, via the connector/fitting 69, to the outlet of the container 50. The or each liquid holder 60 can hold a measured amount, such as a shot, as a portion of the contents of the respective container 50, the dispensing means 54 being operable to effect, or configured to allow, transfer of the portion from the container 50 into the liquid holder 60. A portion 64 of the cooling element 58 extends in the liquid holder 60 so as to be arranged to cool, or keep cooled, the liquid held in the liquid holder 60. The portion 64 is preferably coiled such that it provides a relatively large cooling surface area in contact with the transferred portion. The dispensing means 54 further includes, associated with the or each liquid holder 60, a respective nozzle 61, and is operable such that the transferred portion of liquid flows through that nozzle 61, to be receivable into a receptacle, such as a glass 62, as a measured unit or shot. The dispensing means 54 may, to this end, include one or more actuators (not shown), the or each actuator being associated with a respective nozzle 61 and liquid holder 60 and being depressible by a rim of the receptacle 62, as will be known to a person skilled in the art, to effect the flow of the liquid through the nozzle 61.

[0065] The apparatus 48 is configured to dispense the contents of the/each container 50 while the container 50 is in an inverted orientation. The container 50 in such an orientation may be difficult to connect to the liquid holder 60 without spillage of its contents. To provide for easy and efficient fitting of a full beverage container 50 to the apparatus 48 (to replace an empty one), the or each mount 66 is rotatable, as indicated by the curved arrow in Figure 3, between a first position which is such that the container 50 it engages is upright, and a second position which is such that the container 50 it engages is inverted. When the rotatable mount 66 is in either of the first and second positions, a (typically empty) container 50 coupled to it (via the engagement between the container outlet end and the connector/fitting 69) can be decoupled from it and thus removed from the apparatus 48. With the mount 66 in the first position, a replacement (typically full) container 50 can be coupled to the mount 66 (again via engagement between the container mouth and the connector/fitting 69) and the mount 66 thence rotated into the second position. The cooling element 58 is configured such that the part thereof which extends from the housing 56 is rotatable with the mount 66 (whereby when the mount 66 is in the first position, the rod-like portion 59 projects downwardly, and when the mount 66 is in the second position (illustrated), the rod-like portion 59 projects upwardly).

[0066] The apparatus 48 further includes lighting means 70, e.g. comprising one or more LED lights, arranged at a proximal end of the elongate element portion 59 thereof so as to illuminate the interior of the container 50.

[0067] In Figure 4, there is shown a schematic side view of an apparatus 72 for cooling the contents of at least one beverage container 74 and dispensing the cooled contents, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 72, like the apparatus 48, comprises cooling means 76 (which, again, can include a refrigeration system or unit), and further comprises one or more mounts 73, the or each mount (like the mounts in the previous embodiments) being configured to support a respective said container, and dispensing means 78 operable to dispense the contents of the container(s) 50. The or each mount 73 is configured to hold the respective container/bottle 50 in an upright orientation, and comprises an arm 75, projecting away from a housing 80 of the cooling means 76 and a connector or fitting 77 arranged to couple to the outlet end/mouth of the container,/bottle 74.

[0068] The cooling means 76 is arranged to cool the contents of the container 74 and includes, associated with the or each mount 73, a respective cooling element 82, such as a freezer or evaporator element, that extends from within the housing 80, through the arm 68 (the latter preferably being insulated to restrict heat transfer from ambient air, through the arm wall, to the element 82) and terminates in an elongate or rod-like portion 79 which projects, beyond the connector/fitting 77, to be receivable in the respective container 74.

[0069] The dispensing means 78 includes, for the or each container 74, a respective liquid holder 84 which couples, via the connector/fitting 77, to the outlet of the container 74. The or each liquid holder 84 can hold a measured amount, such as a shot, as a portion of the contents of the respective container 74, the dispensing means 78 being operable to effect transfer of the portion from the container 74 into the liquid holder 84. A portion 88 of the cooling element 82 extends in the liquid holder 84 so as to be arranged to cool, or keep cooled, the liquid held in the liquid holder 84. The portion 88 is preferably coiled such that it provides a relatively large cooling surface area in contact with the transferred portion.

[0070] The dispensing means 78 includes, for the or each container 74, a respective gas line 94, which is connected at one end thereof to a compressed gas (e.g. air) supply (not shown) and connected at the other end thereof, via the fitting/connector 77, to the container 74, so as to form a sealed interconnection with the container 74, whereby the pressure of air (from the supply) inside the container 74 is elevated. The dispensing means 78 further includes, for the or each container 74, a tube 90 an open lower end of which is submerged in the liquid in the container 74, whereby, under the air pressure in the container 74, liquid can flow up the tube 90 and into the liquid holder 84, where it can be chilled, or maintained chilled, in the manner previously described. The dispensing means 78 further comprises, for the or each container 74, a spout 92, and is operable to cause the measure of liquid to flow from the liquid holder 84, through the spout 92, such that it can be discharged, through the open end of the spout 92, into glass 62.

[0071] The apparatus 72 further includes lighting means 98, e.g. comprising one or more LED lights, arranged at a proximal end of the or each elongate element portion 79 thereof so as to illuminate the interior of the respective container 74.

[0072] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes, modifications and improvements can be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0073] As an example of the modifications that can include that the beverage containers include any type of glass or plastic bottles or other types of vessels, and the beverages include any type of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages such as spirits, liquors, wines, soft drinks or cordials. Further, the dispensing heads can be of any type of dispensing heads known to those in the art.

[0074] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0075] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims (39)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. An apparatus for holding at least one beverage container and for cooling and dispensing contents of the or each container, comprising: cooling means; and dispensing means connectable to the container(s) so as to be operable to dispense the contents from the container(s).
2. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling means is arranged to cool said contents within the or each container.
3. 3. An apparatus to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cooling means comprises at least one cooling element, the or each element being receivable in a respective said container to cool the contents within that container.
4. 4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing means comprises at least one liquid holder, the or each holder being configured to couple to an outlet of a respective said container, the apparatus being operable to effect, or configured to allow, transfer of a portion of the contents of the or each container to the liquid holder coupled to the outlet thereof, and operable to dispense the transferred portion from the or each liquid holder, wherein the cooling means comprises at least one cooling portion in the or each liquid holder to cool the transferred portion therein.
5. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, being operable such that the or each transferred portion is a predetermined measure of said contents.
6. 6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the or each cooling portion is defined by an element extending within an interior of a respective said liquid holder so as to contact directly the transferred portion therein.
7. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said cooling portion is coiled.
8. 8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7 as appended to claim 3, wherein the or each cooling portion is defined by a part of a respective said element.
9. 9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing means comprises at least one connector rotatable from a first position, in which it can be connected to an outlet of a respective said container when substantially upright, to a second position which is such that the container, to the outlet of which it is connected, is inverted whereby the dispensing means is operable to dispense the contents therefrom.
10. 10. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an enclosure configured to house the beverage container(s) and wherein the cooling means is arranged to cool an interior of the enclosure so as to cool the housed container(s).
11. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the dispensing means is connectable to the housed container(s) so as to be operable to dispense contents from the container(s) external to said interior.
12. 12. An apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the enclosure is configured to house the container(s) inverted and wherein the dispensing means comprises at least one dispenser head, the or each head being connectable to a said container.
13. 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the enclosure is configured with at least one opening through a wall thereof, and the or each dispenser head is mountable to the enclosure through a respective said opening.
14. 14. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a retainer for releasably holding the or each dispenser head when mounted.
15. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the or each retainer has a retaining element which is movable between a first position wherein the retaining element permits insertion and withdrawal of the or each respective dispenser head, and the respective container when connected to it, through a lower end of the respective opening, and a second position wherein the retaining element precludes said insertion and withdrawal.
16. 16. An apparatus according to claim 15, configured such that in the first position, the or each retaining element permits access to the respective opening, to allow said insertion and withdrawal, and in the second position, the or each retaining element at least partially occludes that opening to preclude said insertion and withdrawal.
17. 17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the or each retaining element has a space or aperture and is arranged such that the space or aperture is in alignment with said lower end when the retaining element is in the first position, such that the respective dispenser head, and the respective container when connected to it, passes through the space or aperture during said insertion and withdrawal, and is out of alignment with said lower end when the retaining element is in the second position.
18. 18. An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising resilient biasing means to maintain the retaining element in the second position.
19. 19. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the enclosure includes at least one viewing section through which the container(s) housed by the enclosure can be viewed in a manner enabling identification of the or each beverage.
20. 20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the or each viewing section is defined by a window.
21. 21. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 20, wherein the enclosure includes at least one door openable to permit mounting of the container(s) in said interior and removal of the container(s) from said interior.
22. 22. An apparatus according to claim 21 as appended to claim 20, wherein the or each door comprises a said window.
23. 23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 22, wherein the enclosure is defined by a cabinet.
24. 24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the cabinet is wall-mountable.
25. 25. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 24, wherein the enclosure is divided into compartments and is configured such that each compartment houses at least one said container.
26. 26. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 25, being configured such that the enclosure houses containers side-by-side.
27. 27. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 26, being configured such that the enclosure houses the containers in staggered relation.
28. 28. An apparatus according to claim 27, being configured such that the housed containers are arranged in overlapping relation.
29. 29. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 28, wherein the enclosure is separated into compartments each of which is arranged to hold one or more of the containers.
30. 30. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 29, further comprising lighting to illuminate the housed container(s) in a manner such that the illumination thereof is visible.
31. 31. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, being for plural said containers.
32. 32. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, being one for holding at least one liquor container.
33. 33. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling means is operable to cool said interior or contents of the or each container to a temperature of 0°C or less.
34. 34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the cooling means is operable to cool said interior or contents of the or each container to a temperature of between -40°C and -15°C.
35. 35. A beverage cooling and dispensing assembly comprising: an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims; and said container(s), wherein the dispensing means is connected to the container(s) so as to be operable to dispense the contents from the container(s).
36. 36. A beverage cooling and dispensing assembly comprising: an apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 30 or any one of claims 31 to 34 when dependent thereon; and the beverage container(s) housed by said enclosure, wherein the dispensing means is connected to the container(s) so as to be operable to dispense the contents from the container(s).
37. 37. An assembly according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the or each container holds liquor.
38. 38. An assembly according to any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the or each container is a liquor bottle.
39. 39. An assembly according to claim 37 or claim 38, wherein the liquor comprises spirit.