GB2493372A - An elongate pouring device which provides angled descent of a carbonated drink into a container - Google Patents

Abstract

A device which assists the user in the pouring of effervescent, aerated, gassy, fizzy, carbonated or sparkling drinks. The device is designed to be placed in a container into which a beverage is to be poured is an elongate member which is inserted diagonally such that it provides an angled descent of the beverage into the glass. In use it ideally leans against a glass s sidewall to its bottom. The device may project out of the glass and it may be provided with a brace which fits over the side of a glass to prevent the device falling into the glass. The device may fit a bottle or a can.

Description

A POURING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pouring device, more particularly a device for carbonated or sparkling beverages.

Background

Increasingly consumers or users are drinking more alcohol in their own homes rather than socially.

Off sales of alcohol are therefore rising. Beer arid other effervescent, aerated, gassy, fizzy, carbonated or sparkling drinks have always been popular, such as lager, but the experience of drinking from cans, bottles or tins compares typically unfavourably to draught versions that are available in social locations using barrels.

In particular pouring such drinks from containers into glass, as is typically preferred, tends to result in an unsatisfying foamy head or gas consistency.

Many users tip the glass so the beverage hits the glass after a shorter distance and at a similar angle to the direction it's already travelling.

Pouring without tipping or an angle, the user will get more splashing, incorporate more bubbles into the beverage when it hits, which serve as a nucleus for the carbon dioxide to come out of solution, and form the foam, leading to an excessive head, flat beverage or spillages.

While some beer requires head purely for the aesthetic look, there are others that need the head to reveal their aromatic flavour.

Furthermore highly carbonated soft drinks are unsatisfactory for pouring directly into containers or glasses as too much fizz may be lost in pouring.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed and granted in the past in an effort to deal with this problem or similar, including the following: European patent application EP 0 876 286 (COSTELLO) discloses an insert for a drinks container to assist in the promotion of a foamy or creamy head on beverage comprises a chamber having two openings therein joined together within the chamber to form a tube, said tube having two venting holes in the sidewall thereof to provide communication between the inside of the chamber and the tube. The insert is located in a container after filling with beverage so that one lower venting hole is below the surface of the beverage, and the other above it. Subsequent pressurisation of the container (by adding a drop of liquid nitrogen immediately prior to closure) causes an ingress of pressure through each venting hole therein into the chamber causing an introduction of both gas and beverage under pressure until the pressures in the chamber and in the container substantially equalise, upon opening the pressure drop in the container causes the egress of pressure via the tube to create a jet of gas into the beverage.

Granted Japanese patent JP 4052 183 (SATO) discloses a beverage pouring nozzle equipped with a diluting liquid nozzle head which has a plurality of diluting liquid channel holes formed through along the peripheral direction of the diluting liquid introduction channel in the form of dispersing the diluting liquid along the predetermined annular peripheral direction of the diluting liquid introduction channel, and which blends the diluting liquid with a concentrated syrup additionally introduced.

In contrast the present invention provides a multiple container, portable, easy to use pouring aid usable in a method that is familiar to users.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a pouring device for use with carbonated beverages, featuring an elongate member of appropriate dimensions to be diagonally inserted into a plurality of beverage containers, and provide an angled descent of the beverage into the container.

Typically the member is formed of a plastic piece and ideally is dimensioned to be leant against a glass or other beverage container's side wall to its bottom.

In preferred embodiments the member is long enough to project out from the glass.

Further embodiments may have, additionally or in the alternative, a handle, handle section, projection or part may be provided in a different material.

Yet further embodiments are provided with lips, projections, indentations, wedges, stops, braces or other formation which fits over a glass side or otherwise prevents the member falling into the glass, and/or provides an angled surface leading into the glass.

Some embodiments may have an axially variable angle or incline, such as created or defined by a curvature to the member's length.

Preferred embodiments of the member have more than one curvature, for example also orthogonally or transversely.

Yet further embodiments may have other shape or curvature that serves best to lead the drink into the glass in a member that best minimises or controls the gas or bubbles.

Still further embodiments may be envisaged where particular properties of gas are defined by use of the device according to beverage.

Some embodiments may also be disposed to curve into the glass, for example having a helical or twisting form, ensuring that beverage is slowed down as it descends into a glass.

Additionally or in the alternative in preferred embodiments the member's shape ensures that a liquid is dispersed and mixed as it is poured, helping in correct mixing of cocktails.

In order to maximise this, some embodiments may have multiple paths for a plurality of contemporaneously poured beverages. Alternatively or in addition more than one member may be used in a method.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the member forms a part of the device and/or is shaped to fit to another structure, for example a bottle or can.

In this way the device may be packaged with beverages for sale and contemporaneous use.

Secondary parts may be provided in a kit comprising items previously described.

These secondary parts may include detachable mountings with breakable seams.

Further embodiments of the device may include magnetic parts or member.

Yet further embodiments may have adhesive and/or foldable parts.

Some embodiments may be incorporated into the container, such that they may be pushed or folded out or otherwise displaced so that they may be used and when not in use, may be stored to present minimal interference with the container in use.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to incSude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows three views of a preferred embodiment of the device member: And Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment.

Detailed Description of Figures

The device as pictured and preferred allows the user to pour carbonated drinks and beverages into a drinking container with ease. The risk of an unwanted head is significantly reduced, decreasing the time taken to pour drinks.

Available in a range of colours, the device can be used to pour carbonated drinks and as a stirrer.

The device can be distributed as a promotional item and is designed to fit against 2 litre plastic drinks bottles. Typically this would be sold with an adhesive section or tab holding the member to the bottle.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. A pouring device for use with carbonated beverages, featuring an elongate member of appropriate dimensions to be diagonally inserted into a plurality of beverage containers, and provide an angled descent of the beverage into the container.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A device according to claim 1 further including a container attachment means.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the member is incorporated into the container.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the member may be displaced for storage within the container.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A device according to claims 1 to 4 including a handle, handle section, projection or part.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A device according to any preceding claim including a brace which fits over a container side to prevent the member falling into the container.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A methDd of mixing beverages using a device according to a preceding claim.B. A method of mixing beverages using a plurality of members according to a preceding claim.</claim-text>