GB2040531A - Apparatus for Simulating a Gaseous Beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for simulating a gaseous beverage, comprising a transparent container 2 of liquid and tube 4 for distributing bubbles through the liquid so that that liquid simulates a gaseous beverage. Members 17 and 18 simulate foam and ice respectively. Glass 2 rests on an illuminated base 13. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for Simulating a Gaseous Beverage The invention relates to apparatus for simulating a gaseous beverage. The invention further relates to such apparatus preferably in the form of a beer fountain.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for simulating a gaseous beverage, comprising a transparent container of liquid and means for distributing bubbles through the liquid so that that liquid simulates a gaseous beverage.

Preferably the bubble distributing means may comprise a perforated tube inside the container and a device connected to the tube for passing gas, preferably air, through the tube so that that gas passes through the perforations into the liquid. In this way, bubbles can rise through the liquid over substantially the whole volume of the liquid.

Preferably the device may comprise a pump and a conduit, and the pump may be connected to the perforated tube. This provides a relatively simple arrangement for pumping air into the liquid.

Preferably the container may comprise a glass with an internal mirrored partition, the conduit being concealed by the partition when the apparatus is viewed from in front. In this way the means for producing the bubbles is hidden from view, so that the liquid appears to be naturally gaseous.

The container may be a sealed glass, and there may be means for maintaining the glass full of liquid. This arrangement makes it possible to maintain the glass full should there be any loss of liquid due to evaporation, for example.

The glass may be a specially blown one with a base portion projecting in the longitudinal direction of the glass and there may be a support with a hole in which the base portion is received. This arrangement enables the glass to be securely mounted.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a side view of part of apparatus embodying the invention, comprising a beer fountain; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a complete beer fountain of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a detail of part of the beer fountain of Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 shows the whole apparatus assembled.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus for simulating a gaseous beverage comprises a beer fountain 1 in the form of a transparent container, or glass 2 of liquid, in this case water colored to look like beer, and means 3 for distributing bubbles through the water so that that water simulates a gaseous beverage. The bubble distributing means 3 comprises a perforated tube 4 which is sealed at the base of the glass 2. The tube 4 is sealed as by a plug 5 at one end, and the other end is connected to a device 6 in the form of a conduit 7 and an electrical pump 8.

There is a central mirrored partition 9 in the glass 2. The conduit 7 passes behind the partition 9, as the beer fountain 1 is viewed from in front, so that the conduit 7 is concealed.

The glass 2 is sealed so that there is an enclosed body of coloured water, but to ensure that the level of water is maintained, there is a pipe 10 connected to a pump 11 to maintain the level of water in the glass. There is a filter 12 in the pipe. The pipe 10 also enters the glass 2 behind the partition 9.

The glass 2 is seated on a support 13 which has a hole or well 14 in which a projecting base portion 1 5 of the glass 2 is received snugly. The support 13 has lighting means 16 for illuminating the glass 2 from below.

There is a cap 1 7 to simulate a foaming head of beer, which cap 17 covers the top of the glass 2 and thereby conceals the conduit 7 and pipe 10.

Also, there is simulated ice 1 8 at the base of the glass 2 for concealing the perforated tube 4.

In use, when the pump 8 is switched on, air is forced along the conduit 7 in the tube 4 and emerges through the perforation into the coloured water. The air rises as bubbles through the water, simulating a real glass of beer. The partition 9 ensures that the viewer appears to see a whole glass and the illumination by the lighting means 16 enhances the aesthetic effect.

Although a beer fountain has been described, it will be understood that any suitable beverage can be simulated providing a suitable colour of liquid is used.

Claims

1. Apparatus for simulating a gaseous beverage, comprising a transparent container of liquid and means for distributing bubbles through the liquid so that that liquid simulates a gaseous beverage.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the bubble distributing means comprises a perforated tube inside the container and a device connected to the tube for passing gas through the tube so that that gas passes through the perforations into the liquid.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the device comprises a pump and a conduit, the conduit being connected to the perforated tube.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the container comprises a glass with an internal mirrored partition, the conduit being concealed by the partition when the apparatus is viewed from in front.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a sealed glass and means for maintaining the glass full of liquid.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, comprising a support for the glass which support is adapted to illuminate the glass from below.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, in which the glass has a projecting base portion and the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Apparatus for Simulating a Gaseous Beverage The invention relates to apparatus for simulating a gaseous beverage. The invention further relates to such apparatus preferably in the form of a beer fountain. According to the invention there is provided apparatus for simulating a gaseous beverage, comprising a transparent container of liquid and means for distributing bubbles through the liquid so that that liquid simulates a gaseous beverage. Preferably the bubble distributing means may comprise a perforated tube inside the container and a device connected to the tube for passing gas, preferably air, through the tube so that that gas passes through the perforations into the liquid. In this way, bubbles can rise through the liquid over substantially the whole volume of the liquid. Preferably the device may comprise a pump and a conduit, and the pump may be connected to the perforated tube. This provides a relatively simple arrangement for pumping air into the liquid. Preferably the container may comprise a glass with an internal mirrored partition, the conduit being concealed by the partition when the apparatus is viewed from in front. In this way the means for producing the bubbles is hidden from view, so that the liquid appears to be naturally gaseous. The container may be a sealed glass, and there may be means for maintaining the glass full of liquid. This arrangement makes it possible to maintain the glass full should there be any loss of liquid due to evaporation, for example. The glass may be a specially blown one with a base portion projecting in the longitudinal direction of the glass and there may be a support with a hole in which the base portion is received. This arrangement enables the glass to be securely mounted. Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a side view of part of apparatus embodying the invention, comprising a beer fountain; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a complete beer fountain of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a detail of part of the beer fountain of Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 shows the whole apparatus assembled. Referring to the drawings, the apparatus for simulating a gaseous beverage comprises a beer fountain 1 in the form of a transparent container, or glass 2 of liquid, in this case water colored to look like beer, and means 3 for distributing bubbles through the water so that that water simulates a gaseous beverage. The bubble distributing means 3 comprises a perforated tube 4 which is sealed at the base of the glass 2. The tube 4 is sealed as by a plug 5 at one end, and the other end is connected to a device 6 in the form of a conduit 7 and an electrical pump 8. There is a central mirrored partition 9 in the glass 2. The conduit 7 passes behind the partition 9, as the beer fountain 1 is viewed from in front, so that the conduit 7 is concealed. The glass 2 is sealed so that there is an enclosed body of coloured water, but to ensure that the level of water is maintained, there is a pipe 10 connected to a pump 11 to maintain the level of water in the glass. There is a filter 12 in the pipe. The pipe 10 also enters the glass 2 behind the partition 9. The glass 2 is seated on a support 13 which has a hole or well 14 in which a projecting base portion 1 5 of the glass 2 is received snugly. The support 13 has lighting means 16 for illuminating the glass 2 from below. There is a cap 1 7 to simulate a foaming head of beer, which cap 17 covers the top of the glass 2 and thereby conceals the conduit 7 and pipe 10. Also, there is simulated ice 1 8 at the base of the glass 2 for concealing the perforated tube 4. In use, when the pump 8 is switched on, air is forced along the conduit 7 in the tube 4 and emerges through the perforation into the coloured water. The air rises as bubbles through the water, simulating a real glass of beer. The partition 9 ensures that the viewer appears to see a whole glass and the illumination by the lighting means 16 enhances the aesthetic effect. Although a beer fountain has been described, it will be understood that any suitable beverage can be simulated providing a suitable colour of liquid is used. Claims

1. Apparatus for simulating a gaseous beverage, comprising a transparent container of liquid and means for distributing bubbles through the liquid so that that liquid simulates a gaseous beverage.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the bubble distributing means comprises a perforated tube inside the container and a device connected to the tube for passing gas through the tube so that that gas passes through the perforations into the liquid.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the device comprises a pump and a conduit, the conduit being connected to the perforated tube.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the container comprises a glass with an internal mirrored partition, the conduit being concealed by the partition when the apparatus is viewed from in front.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a sealed glass and means for maintaining the glass full of liquid.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, comprising a support for the glass which support is adapted to illuminate the glass from below.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, in which the glass has a projecting base portion and the support has a hole in which the projecting base portion is mounted.

8. Apparatus for simulating a gaseous beverage, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.