GB2452764A

GB2452764A - Graduated beverage container

Info

Publication number: GB2452764A
Application number: GB0718007A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Harrison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-14
Filing date: 2007-09-14
Publication date: 2009-03-18
Also published as: GB0718007D0

Abstract

A beverage container 1 has a plurality of scales 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 visible from the exterior surface of the container to provide an indication of the amount of a beverage property in the container, taking into account the volume of a beverage in the container and the concentration of the beverage property in the beverage. Each scale relates to a respective different concentration of the beverage property and each level marking in a scale corresponds to a respective different amount of the beverage property for the concentration of the associated scale. The scales may be etched, engraved, carved, printed or lithographed. The beverage property may be one of alcohol content, number of calories or carbohydrates content.

Description

BEVERAGE CONTAINER

The present application relates to a beverage container and in particular, to a system for measuring the amount of a beverage property in a beverage.

Background to the Invention

In response to the health problems caused by alcohol consumption, many countries around the world have developed standards to define a "standard unit" of alcohol. A "standard drink" is often used to refer to a drink which contains a single unit of alcohol according to the standard employed.

Government health organisations have used evidence-based research to provide straightforward guidelines regarding the "safe" maximum number of units an individual can drink (often taking into account gender). For example, in the UK, current government guidelines indicate that women should drink no more than fourteen standard units of alcohol per week and no more than three standard units of alcohol per day and men should drink no more than twenty one standard units of alcohol per week and no more than four standard units of alcohol per day.

The general public shows a good understanding of the concept of standard units of alcohol and the recommended safe drinking levels. However, there is a widespread lack of knowledge regarding how to calculate units accurately, and poor motivation to apply the formula to calculate units whilst consuming alcohol. To date, calculating units of alcohol in a drink is difficult. For example, in a domestic situation, one does not accurately know the volume of drink poured into a typical unmarked glass or cup. In such a typical situation, it is a burden to accurately calculate the number of units in the drink because the quantity of drink poured must be accurately measured, the known alcohol concentration must be determined, and then the number of standard units in the poured drink must be mentally calculated according to a formula defining a standard unit.

Government campaigns have attempted to demonstrate pictorially with icons or charts what a standard unit of alcohol looks like, for example by equating a pint of lager or a large glass of wine to two units of alcohol. These icons and charts are often inaccurate and misleading because they do not take into account the range of alcohol concentrations in a particular beverage type. For example, 250 ml of wine with 9% alcohol content by volume actually contains 2.2 units of alcohol, whereas 250 ml of wine with 15% alcohol content by volume contains 3.8 standard units of alcohol, according to UK standards.

At present, there is no known practical device which enables the user to accurately determine the number of units of alcohol in their drinking vessel or beverage container.

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Statements of the Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage container having a plurality of scales relating to a beverage property whose concentration is variable for different beverages. Each scale corresponds to a respective different concentration of the beverage property. Each scale comprises a plurality of level markings, wherein each level marking corresponds to a respective different amount of the beverage property for the concentration of the associated scale.

In this way, when a beverage container is filled with a beverage whose concentration of the property is known, the amount of that property for the liquid in the beverage container can be determined by comparing the level of the beverage with the level marking of the scale corresponding to the concentration of the property in the beverage. Advantageously, the amount of a property for a beverage that is being consumed can be determined for variations of the beverages which differ in concentration of the property using the corresponding scale.

According to yet another aspect, a drinking vessel is provided for containing a standard volume of a beverage, with a marking on the drinking vessel indicative of the standard volume of beverage in the drinking vessel. A plurality of numerical indications are also provided on the drinking vessel indicative of the amount of a beverage property for respective different concentration concentrations of the beverage property.

The beverage property may be one of alcohol content, number of calories or carbohydrates content.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container in a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the plurality of scales on the beverage container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a beverage container in a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the plurality of scales on the beverage container of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a beverage container in a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the plurality of scales on the beverage container of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first beverage container in a fourth embodiment of the invention; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of second beverage container in a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

First Embodiment Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wine glass 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, having a base 2 on which the wine glass I stands when placed on a flat surface. As shown, a plurality of scales 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 are provided on the exterior surface of the wine glass 1, each scale 3 being provided at a respective different location around the circumference of the wine glass I and extending from the base of the wine glass I to the rim of the wine glass 1. Each scale 3 provides an indication of the number of units of alcohol in the wine glass 1, taking into account the volume of wine in the glass 1 and a respective different concentration of alcohol or alcohol strength of the wine. Each scale 3 consists of a plurality of level markings 4, at different levels of the glass. Each level marking 4 indicates a level of liquid in the wine glass 1 when, for example, the glass is standing on its base 2 on a level surface. In this embodiment, each level marking 4 is formed by a number of circles or dots 5 etched or engraved into the exterior surface of the glass at the same level, with the number of circles or dots in a level marking 4 corresponding to the number of the number of standard units of alcohol at the alcohol concentration corresponding to that particular scale. Accordingly, the number of circles or dots in each level marking 4 increases in the direction towards the rim of the glass.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a projection of the full spectrum of scales 3 provided circumferentially on the wine glass 1 according to this embodiment.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the relative spacing between the level markings 4 of each scale 3 for different alcohol strengths are provided by way of example and will vary depending on the size and shape of the wine glass 1.

As discussed above, each separate scale 3-1 to 3-5 relates to the alcohol content of the wine in the glass 1 at a particular alcohol concentration.

Predetermined alcohol concentrations are displayed on or adjacent the associated scale 3-1 to 3-5. Each level marking 4 in a scale 3 indicates a "standard unit" of alcohol at the corresponding alcohol concentration, in accordance with the standards defined by the governing body of a particular country. In the UK, for example, a standard unit is defined to be 10 ml (about 8 grams) of pure alcohol (100% alcohol by volume). As those skilled in the art will appreciate, other ways of measuring alcohol strength exist and vary from country to country. For example, in another system previously used in the UK, alcohol concentration is measured by proof, where spirit of 100 degrees proof contains 57.1% alcohol by volume or 49.28% alcohol by weight at 51 degrees Fahrenheit (10.6 degrees Celsius). Regardless of how alcohol strength is represented, the number of standard units in a drink can be determined based on the concentration of alcohol in the beverage and the volume poured. Therefore, in the UK, the number of standard units of alcohol in a beverage can be calculated according to the following formula: Units ofalcolzol = concentration of alcohol (% by volume) x volume (Litres) This formula varies depending on the defined standards for different countries and a standard unit may therefore represent a different quantity of alcohol.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, eight separate scales 3 are provided, each associated with a different alcohol concentration to cover a range of typical wines. The associated alcohol concentration is indicated numerically for each scale. A first scale 3-3 is provided for wine with an alcohol concentration of 10% by volume and includes a scale indicating one or two standard units of alcohol. A second scale 3-4 is provided for wine with an alcohol concentration of 12% by volume and includes a scale of one standard unit to three standard units of alcohol. A third scale 3-5 is provided for wine with an alcohol concentration of 12.5% by volume, a fourth scale 3-6 is provided for wine with an alcohol concentration of 13% by volume, a fifth scale 3-7 is provided for wine with an alcohol concentration of 13.5% by volume, a sixth scale 3-8 is provided for wine with an alcohol concentration of 14% by volume, and a seVenth scale 3-1 is provided for wine with an alcohol concentration of 14.5% by volume. Each of the third to seventh scales also includes a scale from one standard unit to three standard units of alcohol. An eighth scale 3-2 is provided for wine with an alcohol concentration of 15% by volume and includes a scale from one standard unit to four standard units of alcohol.

In this way, the wine glass 1 indicates the number of units of alcohol for predetermined alcohol concentrations commonly found in that type of beverage. A user would need to identify the concentration on the glass that corresponds with the particular wine being consumed. Typically, the concentration of alcohol is readily available from labelling on the bottle from which the wine is poured. The number of units of alcohol corresponding to an amount of wine in the wine glass 1 can be determined by identifying the alcohol concentration for the wine and then comparing the fluid level in the wine glass I with the scale corresponding to the identified concentration.

Second Embodiment Figure 3 is a perspective view of a beer glass 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, having a base 12 on which the beer glass 11 stands when placed on a flat surface. A plurality of scales 13-1, 13- 2, 13-3 are provided circumferentially around the exterior surface of the beer glass 11 in a similar manner as described in the above embodiment. Figure 4 schematically illustrates a projection of the full spectrum of scales 13 provided circumferentially on the beer glass 11 according to this embodiment.

Each scale 13 provides an indication of the number of units of alcohol in the beer glass 11, taking into account the volume of beer in the glass 11 and a respective different concentration of alcohol or alcohol strength of the beer.

Each scale 13 consists of a plurality of level markings 14, at different levels of the glass and indicate a level of liquid in the beer glass 11 when, for example, the glass is standing on its base on a level surface. In this embodiment, the number of units of alcohol in the beer glass 11 is indicated by a number 15 etched or engraved into the exterior surface of the glass adjacent a respective level marking 14, with the numerical indications 15 increasing in the direction towards the rim of the beer glass 11.

As can be seen from Figure 4, the plurality of scales 13 are associated with different alcohol concentrations from those included on the wine glass 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 because the range of alcohol concentration in typically beers (for example, from 3% to 9%) is different from the range of alcohol concentration in typically wines (for example, from 9% to 15%). The scales 13, level markings 14 and numerical indications 15 provided on the beer glass 11 are adjusted to take this variation into account. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, eight separate scales 13 are provided, each associated with a different alcohol concentration to cover a range of typical beers. Thc associated alcohol concentration is indicated numerically for each scale. A first scale 13-2 is provided for beer with an alcohol concentration of 3.5% by volume and includes a scale indicating one or two standard units of alcohol. A second scale 13-3 is provided for beer with an alcohol concentration of 4% by volume, a third scale 13-4 is provided for beer with an alcohol concentration of 4.5% by volume, and a fourth scale 13-5 is provided for beer with an alcohol concentration of 5% by volume. Each of the second to fourth scales also includes a scale indicating one or two standard units of alcohol. A fifth scale 13-6 is provided for beer with an alcohol concentration of 5.5% by volume and a sixth scale 13-7 is provided for beer with an alcohol concentration of 6% by volume. The fifth and sixth scales include a scale from one standard unit to three standard units of alcohol. A seventh scale 13- 8 is provided for beer with an alcohol concentration of 7.5% by volume and includes a scale from one standard unit to four standard units of alcohol. An eighth scale 13-1 is provided for beer with an alcohol concentration of 9% by volume and also includes a scale from one standard unit to five standard units of alcohol.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, although the above description makes reference to beer, the beer glass 11 of the present embodiment is also suitable for use with alcoholic beverages which have a similar range of alcohol concentrations to beer, such as ciders, ales, lagers and stouts.

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Third Embodiment Figure 5 is a perspective view of another type of handheld drinking glass 21 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, such as the type typically used for drinking spirits. The drinking glass 21 has a base 22 on which the glass 21 stands when placed on a flat surface. A plurality of scales 23-1, 23-2, 23-3 are provided circumferentially around the exterior surface of the glass 21 in the same maimer as described in the above embodiments.

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a projection of the full spectrum of scales 23 provided circumferentially on the glass 21 according to this embodiment.

Each scale 23 provides an indication of the number of units of alcohol in the glass 21, taking into account the volume of liquid in the glass 21 and a respective different concentration of alcohol or alcohol strength of the spirit contained in the beverage. Each scale 23 consists of a plurality of level markings 24, at different levels of the glass and indicate a level of liquid in the glass 21 when, for example, the glass is standing on its base 22 on a level surface. In this embodiment, the number of units of alcohol in the glass 21 is indicated by a number of diamonds 25 etched or engraved into the exterior surface of the glass at the same level, with the number of diamonds in a level marking 24 corresponding to the number of the number of standard units of alcohol at the alcohol concentration corresponding to that particular scale.

Accordingly, the number of diamonds in each level marking 24 increases in the direction towards the rim of the glass.

As can be seen from Figure 6, the plurality of scales 23 are associated with different alcohol concentrations from those included on the wine glass 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the beer glass 11 shown in Figures 3 and 4. The alcohol concentration in spirits is typically greater than the alcohol concentration in beer and wine. The scales 23 and level markings 24 provided on the glass 21 are adjusted to take this variation into account.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, eight separate scales 23 are provided, each associated with a different alcohol concentration to cover a range of typical spirits. The associated alcohol concentration is indicated numerically for each scale. A first scale 23-3 is provided for spirits with an alcohol concentration of 20% by volume and includes a scale from one standard unit to four standard units of alcohol. A second scale 23-4 is provided for spirits with an alcohol concentration of 25% by volume, a third scale 23-5 is provided for spirits with an alcohol concentration of 30% by volume, a fourth scale 23-6 is provided for spirits with an alcohol concentration of 37.5% by volume, a fifth scale 23-7 is provided for spirits with an alcohol concentration of 42.5% by volume, a sixth scale 23-8 is provided for spirits with an alcohol concentration of 50% by volume, a seventh scale 23-1 is provided for spirits with an alcohol concentration of 60% by volume, and an eighth scale 23-2 is provided for spirits with an alcohol concentration of 70% by volume. Each of the second to eighth scales also includes a scale from one standard unit to four standard units of alcohol.

Fourth Embodiment Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of beverage containers according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 7, a wine glass 31 is provided with a single level marking 33 indicating a predetermined volume 35 of the wine glass 31, in this case 250 ml. This particular embodiment is likely to be used in commercial applications where standard volumes of beverage are poured for a customer. For example, in the UK, a large glass of wine is typically a 250 ml serving. Predetermined alcohol concentrations are displayed circumferentially around the glass, in a similar manner to the embodiments described above. However, in this embodiment, a precise number of units corresponding to the standard volume of the wine glass 31 (i.e. when the wine glass 31 is filled with liquid up to the level marking 33) is displayed 37 for each alcohol concentration, preferably numerically to enable more accurate accounting. In this way, customers can accurately determine the number of units of alcohol they have consumed per standard glass of wine given the concentration of alcohol in the wine being consumed.

In the present embodiment, the displayed scale of alcohol concentrations and corresponding number of units for the standard volume of the wine glass 31 includes the following values: Alcohol concentration Units (to nearest decimal point) r 10% 2.5

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12% 3.0 12.5% 3.1 13% 3.2 13.5% 3.4 14% 3.5 14.5% 3.6 15% 3.8 Figure 8 illustrates a beer glass 41 also provided with a single level marking 43 indicating a predetermined volume 45 of the beer glass 41, in this case one pint. The number of units corresponding to the standard pint volume of the beer glass 41 is also displayed numerically 47 for each alcohol concentration.

In this embodiment, the displayed scale of alcohol concentrations and corresponding number of units for the standard volume of the beer glass 41 includes the following values: Alcohol concentration Units (to nearest decimal point) 3.5% 2.0 4% 2.3 4.5% 2.6 5% 2.8 5.5% 3.1 6% 3.4 7.5% 4.3 9% 5.1 As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the above tables of displayed scales of alcohol concentrations are provided by way of example and the number of different alcohol concentrations which are displayed on the beverage container may be varied to include additional or fewer alcohol concentrations and corresponding number of units. Additionally, as discussed above, the formula for calculating a standard unit may vary from country to country.

Therefore, the calculated number of units which is displayed for each alcohol concentration will vary depending on the formula used to calculate a standard unit as well as the definition of a standard volume.

Alternative and Modifications In the first to third embodiments described above, the level markings and numerical indications of each scale are etched or engraved on the exterior surface of the beverage container. As an alternative, the level markings may be printed or lithographed on the exterior surface of the beverage container.

in another alternative, the plurality of scales may be printed on a translucent sticker which is affixed at a precise position on the exterior surface of the beverage container. As yet another alternative, the plurality of scales may be formed on the exterior surface of a glass beverage container by sand-blasting the surface of the glass and retaining the level markings as transparent marks in frosted glass.

In the first to third embodiments described above, different examples are given of the level markings and numerical indications for the plurality of scales. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the level markings and numerical indications of each scale could of any appropriate shape, size or form for indicating the number of units of alcohol at a level in the scale.

Additionally, the number of scales may be different and more or less scales could be provided on the beverage container. Furthermore, each of the plurality of scales may be associated with different alcohol concentrations from those indicated in the Figures. As yet another alternative, each scale may indicate a finer degree of measurement and additional level markings may be included in each scale to indicate fractions of units of alcohol, for example quarter or half units.

In the first to third embodiments above, the plurality of scales are associated with alcohol concentrations in alcoholic beverages. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the plurality of scales may instead be arranged to indicate measures of other beverage properties whose concentration is variable for different beverages. In such an alternative, each scale may correspond to a respective different concentration of a beverage property such as calories or a carbohydrate substance such as glucose. For example, a given volume of Lucozade (RTM) may have a different calorie or glucose content to the same volume of a different brand of sports drink. The relative spacing between markings of each scale will have to be calculated accordingly, depending on the concentration and content of the substance being measured. In this way, an amount of a particular beverage property corresponding to an amount of the beverage in the drinking vessel can be determined by identifying the concentration of the beverage property for the beverage and then comparing the fluid level in the drinking vessel with the scale corresponding to the identified beverage property concentration.

In the above embodiments and alternatives, the handheld drinking vessel is made of glass and the level of liquid contained in the glass is clearly visible because glass is transparent. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the drinking vessel but may instead be made of any other transparent or translucent material, as long as the level of the fluid contained in the drinking vessel can be determined and compared with an associated scale. For example, the vessel may be made from crystal or a polycarbonate material.

As yet another alternative, the drinking vessel may be made of an opaque material with at least one transparent or translucent window extending in a direction towards the rim of the vessel, such that the level of a contained beverage can be determined through the window and compared with an associated scale.

The above embodiments are presented as separate embodiments but those skilled in the art will appreciate that any combination of the markings and vessels described in the above embodiments and alternatives is possible.

Additionally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drinking vessel may be of any shape and size, and the relative positions and number of level markings will vary depending on the shape and size of a drinking vessel.

The above embodiments illustrate, but do not limit, the present invention.

Alternative embodiments which may occur to the skilled reader on reading the above description may also fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A beverage container comprising a plurality of scales relating to a beverage property whose concentration is variable for different beverages, each scale corresponding to a respective different concentration of the beverage property and comprising a plurality of level markings, wherein each level marking corresponds to a respective different amount of the beverage property for the concentration of the associated scale.
2. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein each level marking is indicative of a number of defined units of the beverage property for the concentration of the associated scale.
3. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein are the plurality of scales are provided on the exterior surface of the container.
4. The beverage container of claim 3, wherein are the plurality of scales are etched, engraved or carved on the exterior surface of the container.
5. The beverage container of claim 3, wherein are the plurality of scales are printed or lithographed on the exterior surface of the container.
6. The beverage container of any preceding claim, wherein each scale extends in a direction towards a rim of the beverage container and the level markings of a scale indicate an increasing amount of the beverage property for the concentration of the associated scale.
7. The beverage container of any preceding claim, wherein each scale further comprises a plurality of numerical indications of an amount of said beverage property at the corresponding concentration provided adjacent a respective level marking.
8. The beverage container of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of scales is arranged to indicate a number of standard units of alcohol content in a beverage for respective different alcohol content by volume.
9. The beverage container of any preceding claim, wherein the beverage container is a handheld drinking vessel.
10. The beverage container of claim 9, wherein the beverage container is a wine glass.
11. The beverage container of claim 9, wherein the beverage container is a beer glass.
12. The beverage container of claim 9, wherein the beverage container is a drinking vessel for spirits.
13. The beverage container of any one of claims I to 7, wherein the plurality of scales is arranged to indicate an amount of calories or a carbohydrate content of respective different beverages.
14. A measuring system for a drinking vessel comprising a plurality of scales for indicating an amount of a beverage property whose concentration is variable for different beverages, wherein each scale corresponds to a respective different concentration of said beverage property and comprises a plurality of level markings for indicating a respective different amount of the beverage property for the concentration of the associated scale.
15. A drinking vessel comprising a level marking indicative of a standard volume of beverage and a plurality of numerical indications indicative of an amount of a beverage property in a standard volume of beverage for a plurality of different concentrations of said beverage property.
16. A measuring system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the beverage property is one of alcohol content, number of calories or carbohydrates content.
17. A beverage container substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figure 1, Figure 3, Figure 5, Figure 7 and Figure 8.
18. A handheld drinking vessel substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figure 1, Figure 3, Figure 5, Figure 7 and Figure 8.
19. A measuring system substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 1 to 6.