US20080209939A1

US20080209939A1 - Drinking Vessel

Info

Publication number: US20080209939A1
Application number: US11/997,004
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephan Schmitz
Original assignee: Linde GmbH
Current assignee: Linde GmbH
Priority date: 2005-08-04
Filing date: 2006-07-27
Publication date: 2008-09-04
Also published as: EP1910754A1; CN100572990C; WO2007014677A1; DE102005036772A1; CN101238337A

Abstract

The invention provides a drinking vessel into which dry ice can be placed in order to produce fog above the beverage. In order to prevent the pieces of dry ice from being swallowed, a second bottom is inserted into the drinking vessel after the dry ice was placed therein. The second bottom features holes that are permeable to the beverage, but not permeable to the pieces of dry ice. Consequently, the beverage comes in contact with the dry ice such that fog is created while the dry ice is simultaneously prevented from rising to the surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to chill beverages, it is common practice to add ice cubes to the beverage situated in a drinking vessel, e.g., a drinking glass or a drinking cup. However, this does not make it possible to achieve any effects other than the desired chilling effect. During public events such as trade shows, product presentations or the opening of branch offices, it is not only important to offer the guests chilled beverages, but also to attract attention with other effects. This is usually realized in the form of performances such as, e.g., show interludes that have nothing to do with offering beverages.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the objective of making available a drinking vessel that attracts the attention of the consumer when it is filled with a beverage.
According to the invention, this objective is attained in that a second bottom is provided which features holes and can be inserted into the drinking vessel after it was filled with pieces of dry ice in such a way that the pieces of dry ice are covered, wherein the holes are permeable to the beverage, but not permeable to the pieces of dry ice.
The essential idea of the invention can be seen in making available a safe drinking vessel, e.g., a drinking cup, into which dry ice can be placed so as to create fog. In order to prevent the pieces of dry ice from being swallowed, a second bottom is inserted into the drinking vessel after the dry ice was placed therein. The drinking vessel is then filled with the beverage. The holes in the second bottom are so large that the beverage comes in contact with the dry ice but, however, the dry ice is prevented from rising to the surface.
The holes preferably have a diameter of approximately 1 to approximately 5 mm. This also prevents smaller pieces of dry ice from being introduced into the beverage.
The second bottom is preferably realized such that it can be snapped into the drinking vessel. For this purpose, the inner wall of the drinking vessel may be provided, for example, with studs, on which the second bottom can be engaged.
Another embodiment consists of realizing the second bottom such that it can be screwed into the drinking vessel. The drinking vessel features a corresponding internal thread for this purpose.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the second bottom is realized in a dome-shaped fashion, wherein the edge of the dome can be engaged on the circumference of the drinking vessel bottom. In this case, sufficient space for the pieces of dry ice is created underneath the dome-shaped bottom and the pieces of dry ice are prevented from rising into the beverage by the at least partially perforated dome.
The drinking vessel as well as the second bottom are preferably made of plastic. This results in a plastic cup with a double bottom, wherein space for the pieces of dry ice is created underneath the double bottom.
According to an additional embodiment of the invention, the drinking vessel features a corrugated drinking vessel wall in the lower region. This makes it possible to achieve a certain thermal insulation of the space provided for the pieces of dry ice relative to the surroundings.
The following effects can be achieved when using only two to three pieces of dry ice of conventional size, i.e., so-called dry ice nuggets, in a non-chilled, non-carbonated beverage: fog is created above the beverage situated in the drinking vessel for a duration of two to two and a half minutes, wherein this fog produces an impressive effect for the observer, particularly in connection with vividly colored beverages. In addition, slight cooling of the beverage is achieved. Due to the contact with the dry ice, the beverage is also slightly carbonated such that it tastes fresher and more effervescent.
The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to an embodiment that is schematically illustrated in the FIGURE:
In one embodiment, the drinking vessel is realized in the form of a plastic cup 1 that features studs 4 on the vessel bottom in order to engage a dome-shaped second bottom 2. The dome-shaped second bottom 2 is realized in the form of a plastic container of smaller size than the plastic cup 1 and is inserted into the plastic cup 1 such that its opening points downward. A space 5 for the pieces of dry ice is created underneath the second bottom 2. The holes 3 in the second bottom 2 have a diameter of approximately 3 mm such that the beverage filled into the plastic cup 1 can penetrate through the holes 3 and come in contact with the dry ice situated in the space 5 while the pieces of dry ice are retained in the space 5. This makes it possible to safely drink the beverage.

Claims

1. A drinking vessel, comprising a second bottom with holes and insertable into the drinking vessel filled with dry ice such that the dry ice is covered by the second bottom, wherein the holes are permeable to a beverage, but not permeable to the dry ice.

2. The drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein the holes have a diameter of approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm.

3. The drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein the second bottom can be snapped into the drinking vessel.

4. The drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein the second bottom can be screwed into the drinking vessel.

5. The drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein the second bottom comprises a dome-shape, having an edge which can be engaged on a circumference of a bottom of the drinking vessel.

6. The drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein the drinking vessel and the second bottom are made of plastic.

7. The drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein the drinking vessel comprises a corrugated wall at least in a lower region of the drinking vessel.