WO2017134640A1

WO2017134640A1 - Flavor infusing bottle

Info

Publication number: WO2017134640A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/050637
Authority: WO
Inventors: Perry Michael SENKO; Steven Joseph CAISSIE; Darren Bradley HENDRICKS
Original assignee: Senko Perry Michael; Caissie Steven Joseph; Hendricks Darren Bradley
Priority date: 2016-02-05
Filing date: 2017-02-06
Publication date: 2017-08-10

Abstract

A flavor infusing bottle includes a cap, a tubular bottle housing, a removable bottom, a tubular infuser, and a permeable infuser. The cap is terminally and hermetically attached to the tubular bottle housing. The removable bottom is terminally and hermetically attached to the tubular bottle housing and positioned opposite of the cap. Resultantly, the cap, the tubular bottle housing, and the removable bottom enclose the tubular infuser and the permeable infuser thus completing the overall shape of the infusing bottle. The tubular infuser and the permeable infuser provide a desired flavor or aroma to a stored beverage of the infusing bottle as the tubular infuser is threadly and externally attached to an inner flange of the removable bottom and the permeable infuser is threadly and internally attached to the inner flange of the removable bottom.

Description

Flavor Infusing Bottle

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application serial number 62/292,076 filed on February 05, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a beverage container that is capable of imparting flavors to a stored liquid through a wooden infuser and/or a mesh infuser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adding flavors (e.g. oak infusions, herbs, spices, and fruits) and aromas to enhance, differentiate, or otherwise improve beverage options is an action taken by many businesses, vendors, and individuals. For example, wine and alcoholic spirits are often infused with toasted wood flavors (e.g. oak). One of the most common means of doing so is storing wine and alcohol in a wooden barrel, allowing for flavor and aroma transfer from the barrel to the beverage. While perfectly reasonable for businesses, home consumers often find they can't justify the space or monetary investment that is required for a wooden barrel to accomplish flavor infusing.

The present invention provides a beverage container that is capable of infusing wine and various alcohols with wooden notes and aromas. The present invention, furthermore, provides a removable bottom for the container to facilitate replacement of the infusing element, which can be a wooden dowel or a mesh infuser. The infusing element does not need to be removed from the container when pouring the contained beverage, as it is secured to the removable bottom. This means the infusing element does not shift position, and block or otherwise interrupt fluid flowing out of the container. The additional mesh infuser can also be attached to the removable bottom within the container, allowing for further flavor elements to be infused into the contained beverage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front exploded view of the present invention, showing the first embodiment of the tubular infuser.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the present invention, showing the first embodiment of the tubular infuser.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention, showing a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the present invention taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, showing the first embodiment of the tubular infuser.

FIG. 6 is a front view for the tubular bottle housing of the present invention, showing a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the tubular bottle housing taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a perspective view for the removable bottom of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view for the removable bottom of the present invention, showing a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a cross section view of the removable bottom taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the permeable infuser of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view for the second embodiment of the tubular infuser.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view for the third embodiment of the tubular infuser.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view for the fourth embodiment of the tubular infuser.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view for the fifth embodiment of the tubular infuser.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a flavor infusing bottle that is capable of infusing beverages, such as wines, beer, and various other types of alcohols, with wooden notes and aromas. The present invention comprises a cap 1, a tubular bottle housing 2, a removable bottom 6, and at least one flavor infusing body 10 as shown in FIG. 1-5. In reference to the general configuration of the present invention, the cap 1, the tubular bottle housing 2, the removable bottom 6, and the flavor infusing body 10 are

concentrically positioned of each other so that the present invention is able to depict a general bottle shape for the present invention. The cap 1 is terminally and hermetically attached to the tubular bottle housing 2. The removable bottom 6 is terminally and hermetically attached to the tubular bottle housing 2 and positioned opposite of the cap 1. As a result, the cap 1, the tubular bottle housing 2, and the removable bottom 6 are able to complete a container that stores beverages in relation to the present invention. The flavor infusing body 10 is terminally attached to the removable bottom 6 so that the cap 1, the tubular bottle housing 2, and the removable bottom 6 can fully enclose the flavor infusing body 10. Due to the component configuration, the flavor infusing body 10 is able to infuse a desired flavor or aroma into the stored beverage of the present invention. Once the stored beverage is ready to be served, the stored beverage can be poured from the present invention with the removal of the cap 1.

The tubular bottle housing 2 is preferably shaped into the general bottle shape and comprises an elongated body section 3, a shoulder section 4, and a neck section 5. In reference to FIG. 6-7, the elongated body section 3, the shoulder section 4, and the neck section 5 are concentrically positioned of each other to form a linear shape for the tubular bottle housing 2. The elongated body section 3 is perimetrically connected to the shoulder section 4. The neck section 5 is perimetrically connected to the shoulder section 4 and positioned opposite of the elongated body section 3. Generally, a diameter of the elongated body section 3 is larger than a diameter of the neck section 5 as a diameter of the shoulder section 4 continuously decreases from the elongated body section 3 to the neck section 5. Depending upon different embodiments of the present invention, the tubular bottle housing 2 can be either transparent or opaque. In reference to FIG. 5, the cap 1 is threadly attached to the neck section 5 within the preferred embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, a threaded portion of the cap 1 and a threaded portion of the neck section 5 engage with each other to create a hermetic connection between the two components. As a result, the threaded portion of the cap 1 and the threaded portion of the neck section 5 allow the user to unscrew the cap 1 from the tubular bottle housing 2 when the stored beverage is poured into a container or screw the cap 1 onto the tubular bottle housing 2 when the stored beverage is contained within. Alternative embodiments of the present invention can utilize different fastening mechanisms to attach the cap 1 onto the tubular bottle housing 2, wherein the different fastening mechanisms can include, but is not limited to, clamping members, fastening members, snap fit fasteners, and magnetic fasteners.

The removable bottom 6 allows the user to access the inside of the tubular bottle housing 2 and to interchange the flavor infusing body 10 when necessary. In reference to FIG. 8-10, the removable bottom 6 comprises a base 7, an outer flange 8, and an inner flange 9. More specifically, the base 7, the outer flange 8, and the inner flange 9 are concentrically positioned of each other to depict the shape of the removable bottom 6. The inner flange 9 is perpendicularly connected onto the base 7, and the outer flange 8 is perpendicularly connected onto the base 7. However, the inner flange 9 is encircled by the outer flange 8, wherein a diameter of the inner flange 9 is smaller than a diameter of the outer flange 8. Additionally, the diameter of the outer flange 8 is preferably equal to the diameter of the elongated body section 3 so that the removable bottom 6 can be attached flush with the tubular bottle housing 2. The outer flange 8 is threadly attached to the elongated body section 3. In other words, a threaded portion of the removable bottom 6 and a threaded portion of the elongated body section 3 engage with each other to create a hermetic connection between the two components. Resultantly, the threaded portion of the removable bottom 6 and the threaded portion of the elongated body section 3 allow the user to unscrew the removable bottom 6 from the tubular bottle housing 2 in order to access the inside of the tubular bottle housing 2 or to interchange the flavor infusing body 10 when necessary. In reference to FIG. 5, the flavor infusing body 10 is placed within the cap 1, the tubular bottle housing 2, and the removable bottom 6 in order to allow the flavor infusing body 10 to impart a desired flavor or aroma to the stored beverage. The flavor infusing body 10 can also be detached from the removable bottom 6 to allow for an easy replacement once effectiveness of the flavor infusing body 10 is diminished. The flavor infusing body 10 comprises a tubular infuser 11 and a permeable infuser 16 so that the user can utilize either the tubular infuser 11 or the permeable infuser 16 or both the tubular infuser 11 and the permeable infuser 16, where one does not precede the other.

In reference to FIG. 5, the tubular infuser 11 is threadly and externally attached to the inner flange 9. The tubular infuser 11 is preferably made of a desirable flavor wood, e.g. oak, wherein the wood is charred or toasted according to the user's preference. This allows for flavor and aroma elements to be added to the stored beverage that normally accomplished through an aging process in a wooden barrel. For example, alcoholic spirits are often given oak flavors through storage in an oak barrel. However, the present invention is able to create such flavorings into the stored beverage in smaller and much more convenient portion sizes. Even though a threaded attachment is utilized between the tubular infuser 11 and the removable bottom 6 for the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a variety of other fastening mechanisms, such as fastening clips and snap fit connectors can also be utilized to attach the tubular infuser 11 to the removable bottom 6.

In reference to FIG. 3, a first embodiment of the tubular infuser 11 can comprise a tube-shaped body that comprises a smooth outer surface and a smooth inner surface. Then, the stored beverage is able to penetrate through the tube-shape body infusing the flavors from the tube-shaped body to the stored beverage.

In reference to FIG. 12, a second embodiment of the tubular infuser 11 can comprise a plurality of channels 14 that laterally traverses through the tubular infuser 11. The main advantage of the plurality of channels 14 that it increases the total surface area of the tubular infuser 11 comes into contacts with the stored beverage, maximizing the infusing process.

In reference to FIG. 13, a third embodiment of the tubular infuser 11 can comprise a plurality of ribs 15. More specifically, the plurality of ribs 15 is circumferentially distributed around the tubular infuser 11 and laterally connected onto the tubular infuser 11. Similar to the previous embodiment, the plurality of ribs 15 also increases the total surface area of the tubular infuser 11 comes into contacts with the stored beverage, maximizing the infusing process.

In reference to FIG. 14, a fourth embodiment of the tubular infuser 11 can comprise a plurality of channels 14 that laterally traverses through the tubular infuser 11 and a plurality of ribs 15 that is circumferentially distributed around the tubular infuser 11 and laterally connected onto the tubular infuser 11. This embodiment combines benefits of the second embodiment and the third embodiment as the plurality of channels 14 and the plurality of ribs 15 increase the total surface area of the tubular infuser 11 comes into contacts with the stored beverage, maximizing the infusing process.

In reference to FIG. 15, a fifth embodiment of the tubular infuser 11 comprises a plurality of elongated segments 12 and a plurality of connecting rims 13. More specifically, the plurality of elongated segments 12 is radially distributed around the inner flange 9 while the plurality of connecting rims 13 is concentrically connected around the plurality of elongated segments 12. The plurality of connecting rims 13 is then able to maintain the annular shape of the fifth embodiment as the plurality of connecting rims 13 is equally distributed along the tubular infuser 11. Due to the plurality of elongated segments 12, the stored beverage maximizes its surface interaction with the tubular infuser 11 thus maximizing the infusing process.

In reference to FIG. 11, the permeable infuser 16 is threadly and internally attached to the inner flange 9. More specifically, the permeable infuser 16 comprises a perforated upper base 17 and a perforated lateral wall 18. The perforated upper base 17 is terminally positioned within the perforated lateral wall 18 so that the perforated lateral wall 18 can be perimetrically connected around the perforated upper base 17. As a result, when the permeable infuser 16 is attached to the removable bottom 6, the perforated upper base 17 is oppositely positioned to the inner flange 9, along the perforated lateral wall 18. The permeable infuser 16, preferably a mesh infuser or a perforated infuser, allows for additional flavoring elements, beyond those provided by the tubular infuser 11, to be added to the beverage. More specifically, the permeable infuser 16 retains at least one flavor enhancing element that can include, but is not limited to berries, herbs, spices, and other fruits. The permeable infuser 16 allows flavors from the flavor enhancing element to saturate into the stored beverage, while simultaneously acting as a filter. For example, the permeable infuser 16 retains the flavor enhancing element within the present invention and prevents them from falling out through the neck section 5 when the user pours the stored beverage from the bottle. Even though a threaded attachment is utilized between the permeable infuser 16 and the removable bottom 6 for the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a variety of other fastening mechanisms, such as fastening clips and snap fit connectors can also be utilized to attach the permeable infuser 16 to the removable bottom 6.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred

embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A flavor infusing bottle comprises:

a cap;

a tubular bottle housing;

a removable bottom;

at least one flavor infusing body;

the cap, the tubular bottle housing, the removable bottom, and the flavor infusing body being concentrically positioned of each other;

the cap is terminally and hermetically attached to the tubular bottle housing;

the flavor infusing body being terminally attached to the removable bottom;

the removable bottom being terminally and hermetically attached to the tubular bottle housing, opposite of the cap; and

the flavor infusing body being enclosed by the cap, the tubular bottle housing, and the removable bottom.

2. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the tubular bottle housing comprises an elongated body section, a shoulder section, and a neck section;

the elongated body section, the shoulder section, and the neck section being concentrically positioned of each other;

the elongated body section being perimetrically connected to the shoulder section; and

the neck section being perimetrically connected to the shoulder section, opposite of the elongated body section.

3. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cap being threadly attached to the neck section.

4. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the removable bottom comprises a base, an outer flange, and an inner flange;

the base, the outer flange, and the inner flange being concentrically positioned of each other;

the inner flange being perpendicularly connected onto the base; the outer flange being perpendicularly connected onto the base; and the inner flange being encircled by the outer flange.

5. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the outer flange being threadly attached to an elongated body section of the tubular bottle body.

6. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the flavor infusing body comprises a tubular infuser; and

the tubular infuser being threadly and externally attached to an inner flange of the removable bottom.

7. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the tubular infuser is made of wood.

8. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 6 comprises:

a plurality of channels; and

the plurality of channels laterally traverses through the tubular infuser.

9. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 6 comprises:

a plurality of ribs;

the plurality of ribs being circumferentially distributed around the tubular infuser; and

the plurality of ribs being laterally connected onto the tubular infuser.

10. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 6 comprises: a tubular infuser comprises a plurality of elongated segments and a plurality of connecting rims;

the plurality of elongated segments being radially distributed around the inner flange;

the plurality of connecting rims being concentrically connected around the plurality of elongated segments; and

the plurality of connecting rims being equally distributed along the tubular infuser.

11. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the flavor infusing body comprises a permeable infuser; and

the permeable infuser being threadly and internally attached to an inner flange of the removable bottom.

12. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the permeable infuser retains at least one flavor enhancing element.

13. The flavor infusing bottle as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the permeable infuser comprises a perforated upper base and a perforated lateral wall;

the perforated upper base being terminally positioned within the perforated lateral wall;

the perforated lateral wall being perimetrically connected around the perforated upper base; and

the perforated upper base being oppositely positioned to the inner flange, along the perforated lateral wall.