US20060186128A1 - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Beverage dispenser Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060186128A1
US20060186128A1 US11/060,935 US6093505A US2006186128A1 US 20060186128 A1 US20060186128 A1 US 20060186128A1 US 6093505 A US6093505 A US 6093505A US 2006186128 A1 US2006186128 A1 US 2006186128A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
hose
container
aperture
stopper
hoses
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/060,935
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jeffery Summers
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/060,935 priority Critical patent/US20060186128A1/en
Priority to CA002642820A priority patent/CA2642820A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US2006/005566 priority patent/WO2006089077A2/fr
Publication of US20060186128A1 publication Critical patent/US20060186128A1/en
Priority to US12/581,874 priority patent/US20110132922A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
    • B67D1/0004—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G19/00—Table service
    • A47G19/22—Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service
    • A47G19/2205—Drinking glasses or vessels
    • A47G19/2266—Means for facilitating drinking, e.g. for infants or invalids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G21/00—Table-ware
    • A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/10—Pump mechanism
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G2400/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A47G19/00-A47G23/16
    • A47G2400/02—Hygiene
    • A47G2400/027—Non-return valves

Definitions

  • This application pertains to containers and related apparatus for consumption of beverages.
  • Containers for storing and pouring liquids, especially water, date back near the beginning of civilization Myriad sizes, shapes and varieties are known.
  • all sorts of beverages e.g. water, juice, beer, coffee drinks, etc. are packaged and sold in various containers, often made of aluminum, polymeric materials (plastics) or glass.
  • Removable lids, “pop tops” and such are known for opening the container to enable pouring a liquid from the container into a drinking vessel or directly into the mouth of the consumer.
  • consumers use a drinking straw to withdraw liquid from a container. All of these methods and apparatus pertain to one individual drinking from a container; an essentially personal, individual activity. That said, it is well known of course for people to gather in homes, bars and other venues to engage in social intercourse while drinking, especially while drinking alcoholic beverages, but each person drinks from his own container.
  • a very different but socially important tradition of the Middle East is the art of hookah smoking.
  • the hookah also referred to as a narghile or narghila, sheesha, hubble-bubble, or water-pipe, has long inspired great discussions of politics, religion, and the daily events.
  • a hookah with a single hose is sometimes used.
  • a narghile is placed in the center of a group and, after puffing on the mouthpiece, smokers pass the hose around to the next person in the circle, generally chatting all the while in a friendly, cordial atmosphere.
  • a hookah is used that has multiple hoses, say three or four, so that each smoker has his own mouthpiece, and passing it around is unnecessary.
  • the need remains for methods and apparatus that support and encourage relaxed social gatherings and, in particular, that enable small group social activities such as imbibing.
  • Embodiments of the invention include a beverage container, and a plurality of hoses arranged for a small group of people gathered around the container to drink a beverage from the container, each person using one of the hoses.
  • the container is made of a ceramic or glass, and it may have a distinctive shape and or surface ornamentation.
  • the container is reminiscent of a middle eastern hookah.
  • at least one of the hoses includes a pump for dispensing a predetermined volume of the beverage, e.g. a shot, through the hose to the user.
  • One or more check valves prevent fluid flow back into the container.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for consumption of a liquid in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a stopper and hoses in another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2B is a partially sectional view of a distal end portion of a hose showing an internal check valve and mouthpiece.
  • FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating actuation of a pump to discharge liquid through a mouthpiece in accordance with another aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 3B illustrates refilling the pump by releasing it to its inherent shape.
  • FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing use of a hose and associated pump to discharge a predetermined shot of liquid into the mouth of a user.
  • FIG. 4A is an enlarged, partially cross-sectional view showing detail of a pump and mouthpiece check valve.
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a user squeezing the pump to discharge its fluid contents out of the mouthpiece.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a stopper and hoses in accordance with the invention, including a smooth, hollow, rigid liner disposed in each hose aperture.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment of a beverage dispenser in accordance with the present invention.
  • the beverage dispenser is designed to enable a plurality of persons to drink a beverage from a common container. It can be used by one person, or by more than one person. Where more than one person are using the container, each of them can drink from it concurrently, meaning that each of them takes a sip of beverage from the container, from time to time, during the same general time frame. They can also drink from it simultaneously, i.e., where all of the users take a drink from the common container at exactly the same time.
  • the container 10 is made of glass or any other water impermeable rigid or semi-rigid material. Glass or ceramic materials are preferred.
  • the container may be transparent or not, and preferably is adorned with decorative surface ornamentation (not shown). Any potable liquid can be dispensed using the container 10 , such as water, juice or wine.
  • the system described here
  • the container can be filled and sealed prior to shipment and sale, for example by a beverage manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler. It can then be resold at retail to consumers in a market, bar, restaurant, kiosk, sporting venue, etc. Preferably, the container would be sold together with the associated stopper(s), hoses and such as described herein. Alternatively, a user could purchase an empty container and the related apparatus as described herein and fill it himself with a selected beverage. Among other things, the invention is useful for a small group of adults to share an alcoholic beverage. However initially obtained, the container preferably is washable and reusable, although it can also be disposable.
  • container 10 is fitted with a stopper 12 , made of cork, rubber or other suitable material for sealing the beverage within the container 10 to avoid spilling.
  • the stopper 12 includes a plurality of holes extending through it to accommodate dispenser hoses, through which the beverage is to be dispensed to the users. (Where a filled container moves through commerce prior to use, it will of course be sealed initially, for example with a stopper or the like that has no holes.)
  • each hole in the stopper 12 is sized to fit a single hose 14 .
  • Each hose 14 is made of a flexible, water impermeable material such as rubber tubing. Both the stopper 12 and the hoses 14 preferably are made of a cleanable, reusable material. In this way, after the beverage is consumed, the container 10 and related paraphernalia can be cleaned and then reused.
  • the container 10 may have a volume on the order of one or two liters although the particular volume is not critical. It could be sized to hold several liters in which case the number of hoses might be increased to accommodate a larger number of users, on the order of eight or ten. Smaller versions of the container might be outfitted with just two or three hoses. The particular number of hoses is not critical.
  • the hoses preferably have a length to make it convenient for users who are gathered around the container to partake of the beverage through the user's respective hose.
  • Each user preferably assigned her own hose for hygienic purposes.
  • each hose might have a length on the order of 12 to 36 inches, although the length is not critical.
  • each tube has an inside diameter of approximately 5/16's of an inch.
  • the distal end of each hose preferably is fitted with a mouth piece 18 described further below. We refer to the distal end of the hose as the opposite end of that which is inside the container 10 during use.
  • the hose is bisected into two parts.
  • a first part extends generally from the stopper down into the container.
  • a second part disposed entirely outside the container, extends from the stopper to the distal (mouthpiece) end.
  • the first and second parts are in fluid communication with one another within or adjacent the stopper so that fluid from the container can flow through the first part of the hose and into the second part of the hose toward the user.
  • an “extension hose” can be provided to effectively lengthen either a unitary or a two-part primary hose.
  • an extension hose When an extension hose is fitted to the distal end of the primary hose, the mouthpiece is relocated to the distal end of the extension hose.
  • a mouthpiece can be integrally formed with a hose or extension hose.
  • one or more of the hoses can be outfitted with a pump 20 .
  • the function of the pump 20 is to dispense a predetermined volume of beverage, for example a “shot” through the tube and into the mouth of a user.
  • a “shot” is a commonly known measure for alcoholic beverages on the order of one and one-half fluid ounces.
  • the shot pump 20 is described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 .
  • the shot pump is installed along a hose generally adjacent to the distal end although the spacing from the distal end is not critical.
  • FIG. 2A shows a stopper 22 having three holes through it for accommodating hoses.
  • the stopper can be formed to accommodate any desired of users; preferably it would have between two and eight such holes and corresponding hoses.
  • one of the hoses has a pump.
  • FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the distal end region of a typical hose.
  • the hose 24 has a mouthpiece 26 installed on a distal end thereof and further includes an internal flange or check valve 28 .
  • the flange is arranged to arrange backwash of beverage into the container 10 during use. The flange allows fluid flow in one direction only; namely, toward the distal end of the hose 24 .
  • FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a distal portion of a hose 30 .
  • a shot pump 32 is provided for dispensing a predetermined volume of beverage out of the mouthpiece 34 .
  • the volume so dispensed is determined by the volume of the bulbous region 36 of the shot pump.
  • the mouthpiece 34 which may be cleanable and/or disposable, includes an interior flange 40 also known as a check valve which will allow fluids (both air and liquid) to flow in one direction only; again, toward the user.
  • a user squeezes the bulbous region 36 to a compressed condition, thereby forcing the air out of the volume 36 .
  • the hose check valve 38 prevents the air from traveling down the hose toward the container. Accordingly, the air is forced through the check valve 40 and out through the mouthpiece 34 .
  • the user releases the bulb 36 which, because of the resiliency of the bulb material, allows it to return to its original size and shape, as illustrated in FIG. 3B .
  • the resiliency of the bulb and the laws of physics, cause it to pull fluid into the bulb to fill the space as it expands to its original shape.
  • the check valve 40 prevents fluid (air or liquid) from flowing into the bulb through the mouthpiece 34 .
  • the flange 38 permits the flow of fluid out of the beverage container 10 and into the bulb 36 as shown in FIG. 3B . Accordingly, an amount of beverage flows into the bulb approximately corresponding to the volume of the bulb. One might say that the shot pump is now refilled or “loaded.”
  • a user when ready, a user holds the mouthpiece 34 in her mouth and then she (or an assistant) squeezes the bulb, thereby discharging the volume of beverage held in the bulb 36 into her mouth via mouthpiece 34 .
  • she or an assistant squeezes the bulb, thereby discharging the volume of beverage held in the bulb 36 into her mouth via mouthpiece 34 .
  • other users may be consuming beverage from the same container 10 at the same time and, one or more of them may be using a shot pump in like fashion.
  • FIG. 4A is an enlarged, partially cut away view showing detail of the check valve 40 inside of the mouthpiece 34 .
  • the check valve in one embodiment is formed of an opposed pair of flaps 42 A and 42 B which are impermeable to fluids, but nonetheless flexible and resilient. Accordingly, in use, when a fluid is pulled through the hose toward the mouthpiece, either by suction applied by the user or due to squeezing the shot pump, or both, the opposed flaps of the check valve will separate allowing the fluid to flow there through, as shown in FIG. 4B . On the other hand, any fluid flow in the direction toward the container will cause the resilient flaps to come together thereby sealing of the distal end of the hose to prevent such fluid flow.
  • the subject beverage dispenser can be used at home, or in a bar or in a restaurant or other location wherever people engage in social interaction that includes drinking beverages.
  • the beverage container 10 ( FIG. 1 ) is made of glass and has a distinctive shape and/or surface ornamentation, or coloring, so that it when empty, it can be carried away as souvenir.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a stopper and two hoses in accordance with the invention, including a smooth, hollow, rigid liner disposed in each hose aperture to facilitate insertion of the hose.
  • the liner can extend outside the stopper, as illustrated, or it can be sized flush with the top and bottom surfaces of the stopper.
  • the hoses can be sized to fit over the liner, above and below the stopper, in which case the hose is bisected. Alternatively, the hose can fit into and through the liner, as shown.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pediatric Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
US11/060,935 2005-02-18 2005-02-18 Beverage dispenser Abandoned US20060186128A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/060,935 US20060186128A1 (en) 2005-02-18 2005-02-18 Beverage dispenser
CA002642820A CA2642820A1 (fr) 2005-02-18 2006-02-17 Distributeur de boissons
PCT/US2006/005566 WO2006089077A2 (fr) 2005-02-18 2006-02-17 Distributeur de boissons
US12/581,874 US20110132922A1 (en) 2005-02-18 2009-10-19 Beverage dispensing system, apparatus, and/or method

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/060,935 US20060186128A1 (en) 2005-02-18 2005-02-18 Beverage dispenser

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/581,874 Continuation-In-Part US20110132922A1 (en) 2005-02-18 2009-10-19 Beverage dispensing system, apparatus, and/or method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060186128A1 true US20060186128A1 (en) 2006-08-24

Family

ID=36911586

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/060,935 Abandoned US20060186128A1 (en) 2005-02-18 2005-02-18 Beverage dispenser

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20060186128A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2642820A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006089077A2 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010045658A2 (fr) * 2008-10-17 2010-04-22 Jeffery Summers Système, appareil et/ou procédé de distribution de boisson
US20100294772A1 (en) * 2006-03-28 2010-11-25 Barry Edward Fred Judge Closures
USD755047S1 (en) 2013-06-13 2016-05-03 Meadwestvaco Calmar Netherlands B.V. Pump for a container
WO2020073053A1 (fr) * 2018-10-05 2020-04-09 Bryan Campbell Récipient d'alimentation activé par pompe
USD887761S1 (en) * 2018-12-04 2020-06-23 Hangzhou Hooloo Industrial Co., Ltd. Decanter
US20200400361A1 (en) * 2019-06-24 2020-12-24 Marc Radow Dry ice receptacle for crystallizing, containing, and sublimating dry ice and dry ice dispensing device

Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US273058A (en) * 1883-02-27 Siphon
US383153A (en) * 1888-05-22 Siphon for starting the flow of liquids
US582769A (en) * 1897-05-18 Beer-bottling apparatus
US1124246A (en) * 1911-03-07 1915-01-12 Wilhelm Albrecht Apparatus for preventing waste.
US1543280A (en) * 1923-02-28 1925-06-23 John J Darragh Siphon and supporting means for the same
US2372281A (en) * 1942-01-29 1945-03-27 Herman J Jordan Dispenser and control for the same
US2443757A (en) * 1944-08-30 1948-06-22 Jack Vincent V Bottling machine
US2756740A (en) * 1954-04-30 1956-07-31 William V Deane Drinking device for hospital patients
US4648410A (en) * 1985-08-22 1987-03-10 Seroussi Henry I Nargile - oriental tobacco water pipe for smoking cured tobaccos
US4708938A (en) * 1984-04-30 1987-11-24 Hickinbotham Winemakers Pty. Ltd. Alcoholic fermentation
US4993573A (en) * 1989-08-14 1991-02-19 Kinetek Systems, Inc. Bottle closure
US5156335A (en) * 1989-09-05 1992-10-20 Smith Michael L Filtered drinking straw
US5381839A (en) * 1992-07-22 1995-01-17 Dowd; Tracy J. Liquid disburser device
US5505337A (en) * 1994-10-12 1996-04-09 Littman; Carrie W. Hygienic toothpaste dispenser and stand
US5799873A (en) * 1995-06-06 1998-09-01 Lau; Billy Ying Bui Portable multi-port liquid dispensing system
US6047866A (en) * 1998-06-08 2000-04-11 Brown; Jack C. Portable liquid dispenser
US6854888B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2005-02-15 Dennis B. Brown Multispout flask with pump

Patent Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US383153A (en) * 1888-05-22 Siphon for starting the flow of liquids
US582769A (en) * 1897-05-18 Beer-bottling apparatus
US273058A (en) * 1883-02-27 Siphon
US1124246A (en) * 1911-03-07 1915-01-12 Wilhelm Albrecht Apparatus for preventing waste.
US1543280A (en) * 1923-02-28 1925-06-23 John J Darragh Siphon and supporting means for the same
US2372281A (en) * 1942-01-29 1945-03-27 Herman J Jordan Dispenser and control for the same
US2443757A (en) * 1944-08-30 1948-06-22 Jack Vincent V Bottling machine
US2756740A (en) * 1954-04-30 1956-07-31 William V Deane Drinking device for hospital patients
US4708938A (en) * 1984-04-30 1987-11-24 Hickinbotham Winemakers Pty. Ltd. Alcoholic fermentation
US4648410A (en) * 1985-08-22 1987-03-10 Seroussi Henry I Nargile - oriental tobacco water pipe for smoking cured tobaccos
US4993573A (en) * 1989-08-14 1991-02-19 Kinetek Systems, Inc. Bottle closure
US5156335A (en) * 1989-09-05 1992-10-20 Smith Michael L Filtered drinking straw
US5381839A (en) * 1992-07-22 1995-01-17 Dowd; Tracy J. Liquid disburser device
US5505337A (en) * 1994-10-12 1996-04-09 Littman; Carrie W. Hygienic toothpaste dispenser and stand
US5799873A (en) * 1995-06-06 1998-09-01 Lau; Billy Ying Bui Portable multi-port liquid dispensing system
US6047866A (en) * 1998-06-08 2000-04-11 Brown; Jack C. Portable liquid dispenser
US6854888B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2005-02-15 Dennis B. Brown Multispout flask with pump

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100294772A1 (en) * 2006-03-28 2010-11-25 Barry Edward Fred Judge Closures
WO2010045658A2 (fr) * 2008-10-17 2010-04-22 Jeffery Summers Système, appareil et/ou procédé de distribution de boisson
WO2010045658A3 (fr) * 2008-10-17 2010-10-07 Jeffery Summers Système, appareil et/ou procédé de distribution de boisson
USD755047S1 (en) 2013-06-13 2016-05-03 Meadwestvaco Calmar Netherlands B.V. Pump for a container
WO2020073053A1 (fr) * 2018-10-05 2020-04-09 Bryan Campbell Récipient d'alimentation activé par pompe
JP2021529644A (ja) * 2018-10-05 2021-11-04 ブライアン キャンベルＢｒｙａｎ Ｃａｍｐｂｅｌｌ ポンプ作動式供給容器
JP7025598B2 (ja) 2018-10-05 2022-02-24 キャンベル ブライアン ポンプ作動式供給容器
USD887761S1 (en) * 2018-12-04 2020-06-23 Hangzhou Hooloo Industrial Co., Ltd. Decanter
US20200400361A1 (en) * 2019-06-24 2020-12-24 Marc Radow Dry ice receptacle for crystallizing, containing, and sublimating dry ice and dry ice dispensing device
US11874054B2 (en) * 2019-06-24 2024-01-16 The Roxi Group, Inc. Dry ice receptacle for crystallizing, containing, and sublimating dry ice and dry ice dispensing device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2642820A1 (fr) 2006-08-24
WO2006089077A3 (fr) 2007-10-11
WO2006089077A2 (fr) 2006-08-24

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