US20120111450A1

US20120111450A1 - Beverage Mixing and Dispensing Apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20120111450A1
Application number: US12/943,019
Authority: US
Inventors: Don L. Claps
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-10
Filing date: 2010-11-10
Publication date: 2012-05-10

Abstract

This present invention includes an apparatus and a process for mixing two or more beverages and dispensing the same for one or more consumer(s). It is comprised of a primary beverage collection funnel, which is designed to hold a secondary beverage collection funnel or funnels. Attached to the bottom of the collection funnels are beverage transport tubes, primary and secondary respectively. The beverage transport tubes are then connected to either a beverage combining device which has an integrated one way check valve or to a beverage splitting devises which would then in turn have additional beverage transport tubes connected thereto that are then connected to multiple beverage combining devices which have integrated one way check valves. Attached to the bottom of the beverage combining device is a beverage transport tube. Attached to the bottom of the beverage transport tube is a trigger type valve that has the option of being either locked into the open/on position or the trigger type valve may be used in such a way that when the trigger is released, it returns to the closed/off position automatically. And attached to the outlet port of the trigger type valve is a mouthpiece.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,788 March 2007 Morris

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Non Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Non Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

References sited, www.boilermakers.org, irishcarbomb.com, wikipedia.org, TheShotShooter.com
The practice of drinking a hard liquor immediately followed by drinking a weaker beverage or liquor such as beer, which is referred to as a “Chaser”, has been popular for well over 200 years.
In the early 1800's a drink called the “Boilermaker” was created where a person would drop a full shot glass of whiskey into a slightly under filled mug of beer and proceed to immediately drink the entire drink with one long draw, not lifting their lips from the mug until the entire beverage was consumed. In 1979 this type of beverage and mixing technique was reintroduced with the combination of Guinness stout as the beer and one half shot of Bailey's Irish Cream and one half shot Jameson Irish Whisky as the liquor and are most commonly referred to as an “Irish Car Bomb”, if a person omits the Bailey's Irish Cream and uses a full shot of Jameson Irish Whisky, the drink is simply called a “Car Bomb”, in either case the technique used to combine the beverages is referred to as a “Bomb”. More recently this type mixing technique or Bomb, has been very popular by filling the larger glass with a beverage such as Red Bull or another energy drink, again slightly under filled, and also having a smaller sized glass, such as a shot glass, filled with a stronger hard liquor such as Jagermeister liqueur. When this Bomb is made with the referenced beverages it is most commonly called a “Jager Bomb”. The disadvantage and hazard to using this bomb technique lies in the fact that the shot glass will make swift contact with consumers teeth and/or lips creating a tooth chipping or lip splitting hazard.
The practice of drinking beer out of a distribution tube that is connected to the bottom of an open toped funnel originated in the late 1960's when plastic funnels and soft tubing became readily available to the general public. This homemade drinking apparatus is commonly referred to as a “Beer Bong”. These original Beer Bongs needed someone to hold the end of the distribution tube above the top of the funnel prior to and during the filling process or as an alternate technique someone may choose to hold their thumb over the end of the distribution tube prior to and during the filling process to prevent the beer from spilling onto the floor. Next the recipient would place the end of the distribution into their mouth with the funnel raised over their head and begin drinking the beer which would be delivered with some additional force and flow due to the increase in head pressure because of the elevation differential, which in turn would allow for a quicker consumption of the beer. More recently Beer Bongs have been produced to include a ball valve at the end of the distribution tube to make the filling procedure much easier and when the recipient turns the valve to the open/on position they can already have their mouth placed over the flow porthole. In either event the use of a Beer Bong would normally require at least two participants for its successful use.
Several valid attempts have been made to construct the ultimate beer bong apparatus however there are several frequent deficiencies in the previous art. The first is the fact that if no valve is present, the person consuming the beverage will find it quite difficult to remove their thumb from the end of the distribution tube while the beverage is under pressure and insert it into their mouth without spilling any beverage. If the person consuming the beverage chooses to quit drinking midstream, replacing ones thumb or quickly changing the elevation of the funnel, as it relates to the elevation of one's mouth, could be quite difficult. Secondly, if a ball type valve is present they are generally operated with two hands, one hand to hold the valve body and one hand to manipulate the lever to either the open/on or closed/off position. These “hardware store” type ball valves are usually made for much higher pressure applications and can be quite difficult to operate because of their required tightness. These ball valves may also be inadvertently left in the open/on position after a beer is consumed only to be discovered once the next beer is being poured through the apparatus and onto the floor. Due to the fact that two hands are typically needed for the ball valve, the main bulk of the apparatus including the funnel containing the beverage, needs to either be held by a stand, wall bracket or a second person. In any event, the previous art has made the simple task of drinking a beer more difficult than need be. Furthermore, the beverage that is to be consumed by a single person is all contained in one common holding area which will not allow for a sequential dosing of multiple beverages. If the beverage that is to be consumed is made up of multiple beverages, those beverages will become mixed during the filling and dispensing process and the recipient will only taste one flavor of the combined mixture.
Although several techniques are currently used to consume both beer and liquor in the same beverage such as a Bomb or at least in the same setting such as in the example of using a Chaser and several variations of the beer bong do exist, no previous art has combined the mixing technique of a Bomb with the public spectacle, excitement, increased pressure and flow rate of a Beer Bong with the smooth finish and aftertaste of a Chaser all with one apparatus.
Accordingly, what remains needed in the art is a beverage dispensing apparatus which provides for simultaneous yet sequential dosing and dispensing of multiple beverages wherein the person consuming the beverage would enjoy high flow rate and pressure along with a variety of flavors all within one drink with a chaser type finish as well as an optional easily operated one hand trigger type valve that when released may return to the closed/off position automatically.
In this current invention a primary beverage collection funnel, with the large open end up and small end facing downward, is designed to hold a secondary beverage collection funnel or funnels, with the same orientation as the first.
Attached to the bottom of the collection funnels are beverage transport tubes, primary and secondary respectively.
The aforementioned beverage transport tubes are then connected to either a beverage combining device which has an integrated one way check valve or to a beverage splitting devise which would then in turn have additional beverage transport tubes connected thereto that are then connected to multiple beverage combining devices which have integrated one way check valves.
The aforementioned integrated one way check valve contained within the beverage combining device prevents the backflow of beverages up the secondary beverage transport tube or tubes which in turn prevents the beverage from backflowing out of the open top of the secondary collection funnel or funnels.
Attached to the bottom of the beverage combining device is a beverage transport tube.
Attached to the bottom of the beverage transport tube is a trigger type valve that has the option of being either locked into the open/on position or the trigger type valve may be used in such a way that when the trigger is released, it returns to the closed/off position automatically.
Attached to the outlet port of the trigger type valve is a mouthpiece.
There is a great need for a such an invention to be delivered to the marketplace. This current invention will improve the flavor of classic mixed drinks because of its unique delivery method and it will help create flavor combinations never before available with previous art. This apparatus will also reduce risks associated with the classic Bomb drinking technique while at the same time increase the excitement experienced by the participants as well as create a fun spectacle for those who witness its use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This present invention includes an apparatus and a process for mixing two or more beverages and dispensing the same for one or more consumer(s). It is comprised of a primary beverage collection funnel, with the large open end up and small end facing downward, is designed to hold a secondary beverage collection funnel or funnels, with the same orientation as the first. Attached to the bottom of the collection funnels are beverage transport tubes, primary and secondary respectively. The beverage transport tubes are then connected to either a beverage combining device which has an integrated one way check valve or to a beverage splitting devises which would then in turn have additional beverage transport tubes connected thereto that are then connected to multiple beverage combining devices which have integrated one way check valves. The integrated one way check valve contained within the beverage combining device prevents the backflow of beverages up the secondary beverage transport tube or tubes which in turn prevents the beverage from backflowing out of the open top of the secondary collection funnel or funnels. Attached to the bottom of the beverage combining device is a beverage transport tube. Attached to the bottom of the beverage transport tube is a trigger type valve that has the option of being either locked into the open/on position or the trigger type valve may be used in such a way that when the trigger is released, it returns to the closed/off position automatically. And attached to the outlet port of the trigger type valve is a mouthpiece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus designed for multiple consumers according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus designed with multiple secondary collection funnels according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus designed for multiple consumers with multiple secondary collection funnels according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus designed as a single unit according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description relates to the illustrated, exemplified and preferred embodiments of the invention. Some of the particular parts of the invention that are disclosed are not necessary to create and use the invention in all of its embodiments, and some of the particular embodiments that are described have equivalents that may be substituted to achieve the same function of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 apparatus 18 and 19 is comprised of a primary collection funnel 1 which is designed to hold a secondary collection funnel 2. FIGS. 3 & 4 show an alternate embodiment of the present invention where apparatus 20 and 21 are comprised of a primary collection funnel 1 which is designed to hold multiple secondary collection funnels 2.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 the primary collection funnel 1 is attached to a primary fluid transport tube 3 which is then connected to a Y item 7 which may have two or more legs facing upwards and one or more legs facing downward and acts as a fluid combining device which has an integrated check valve(s) that is made up of a pin(s) 6 and a ball(s) 5 with the assistance of the secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 which show an alternate embodiment of the present invention where the primary collection funnel 1 is attached to a primary fluid transport tube 3 which is then connected to the top of an inverted Y item 11 which has one leg facing upwards and two or more legs facing downward and acts as a fluid splitting device which is then connected at the bottom by to two or more primary fluid transport tubes 3 which are then connected to two or more Y's item 7 which act as a fluid combining devices which have integrated check valves that are each made up of a pin 6 and a ball 5 with the assistance of a secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 the secondary collection funnel(s) 2 is held by the primary collection funnel 1 and has attached to it a secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4 which is also connected to the previously mentioned Y(s) item 7. Whereas both a primary fluid transport tube 3 and a secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4 are connected to the top of said Y(s) item 7.
Referring to FIG. 2 which shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention where the secondary collection funnel 2 is held by the primary collection funnel 1 and has attached to it a secondary fluid transport tube 4 which then connected to the top of an inverted Y item 12 which has one leg facing upwards and two or more legs facing downward and acts as a fluid splitting device which is then connected at the bottom by to two or more secondary fluid transport tubes 4 which are also individually connected to two or more of the previously mentioned Ys item 7. Whereas both a primary fluid transport tube 3 and a secondary fluid transport tube 4 are connected to the top of said Ys item 7.
Referring to FIG. 1 through 4 the Y item 7 with its integrated check valve works as follows; attached through one or more of the top legs of the Y item 7 is a pin 6 that is located under the ball 5 and prevents the ball 5 from falling down the Y item 7, the opened end of the secondary fluid transport tube 4 is inserted into the top of the Y item 7 situated over the top of the ball 5 with such spacing as to allowing the ball 5 adequate movement. The opened end of the secondary fluid transport tube 4 is slightly smaller than the ball 5 so that the ball 5 will be confined to the space in between the pin 6 and the opened end of the secondary fluid transport tube 4. The inside diameter of the Y item 7 will be much larger than the ball 5 to allow fluids to pass the ball 5 freely when it is in the open position and the ball 5 is resting on the pin 6. When either static fluid is present or when back pressure is created within the Y item 7 the ball 5 will float or be forced to make contact with the opened end of the secondary fluid transport tube 4 thus creating a seal.
Referring to FIG. 1 through 4 attached to the bottom of the Y item 7 is a combined fluids distribution tube 8.
Referring to FIG. 1 through 4 attached to the bottom of the combined fluids distribution tube 8 is a trigger type valve 9 that can be easily operated with one hand. The trigger type valve 9 which is regularly in the closed position has the option of being either locked into the open/on position or the trigger type valve 9 may be used in such a way that when the trigger is released, it returns to the closed/off position automatically.
Referring to FIG. 1 through 4 attached to the outlet of the trigger type valve 9 is a mouthpiece 10.
So therefore Referring to FIG. 1 through 4 when a primary fluid such as beer or an energy drink is poured into the primary collection funnel 1 it will flow thru the primary fluid transport tube 3 which may be split by an inverted Y item 11 then continuing thru the primary fluid transport tube(s) 3. The primary fluid will then pass thru the Y(s) item 7 and then flow thru the combined fluids distribution tube(s) 8 then flow into the trigger type valve(s) 9 where it will be stopped by the valve(s). At such a time the combined fluids distribution tube(s) 8 will fill to capacity with the primary fluid. Then the Y(s) item 7 will fill to capacity with the primary fluid which will activate the integrated check valve(s) within the Y(s) item 7 which will prevent this primary fluid from filling the secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4, thence the filling will continue to the primary fluid transport tube(s) 3 and then the optional inverted Y item 11 then the primary fluid transport tube 3 and then fill the primary collection funnel to the desired level. After which a secondary fluid(s) such as whisky or a liqueur is poured into the secondary collection funnel(s), this secondary fluid(s) will flow though the secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4 which may be split by an inverted Y item 12 then continuing through the secondary fluid transport tube(s) where it enters the Y(s) item 7 and then it will press upon the ball(s) 5 which will cause the ball(s) 5 to release its seal upon the secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4 thus allowing the secondary fluid(s) to flow into the Y(s) item 7. At this point continued filling of a secondary fluid(s) will cause the secondary fluid(s) to backflow into the primary fluid transport tube(s) 3 and possibly into the bottom of the primary collection funnel 1. In the event that the specific gravity of the secondary fluid is greater than that of the primary fluid, some of the secondary fluid may drop into the combined fluids distribution tube(s) 8. When the filling of the secondary fluid(s) is halted, the fluid levels will stabilize with each other and the top of the fluids will be at the same elevation as each other. Once the fluids have stabilized the ball(s) 5 will float up to the bottom of the secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4 thus creating a seal which will prevent any carbonation bubbles or air bubbles that may be present to backflow up the secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4. At this point the apparatus is full and the liquids are ready to be dispensed. Now the recipient(s) may hold or may choose to have held the entire apparatus above their head(s) so that the mouthpiece is at their mouth level. With their lips sealed against the mouthpiece(s) the recipient(s) will squeeze the trigger type valve(s) 9 to start the flow of fluid. The fluid at the valve(s) will be under pressure because of the elevation differential between the top elevation of the fluids verses the bottom elevation of the valve(s) this will aid in the rapid consumption of all of the fluids within the apparatus. The fluid that is in the combined fluids distribution tube, which will in the beginning be mostly the primary fluid, will start to flow creating a suction on the fluid above. This suction in turn will cause the ball(s) 5 that is located within the Y(s) item 7 to be pulled away from its seal point at the end of the secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4 and come to rest upon the pin(s) 6, thus allowing the secondary fluid(s) to be vacuumed into the stream of the primary fluid that is rushing down the primary fluid transport tube 3 through the Y(s) item 7. This will cause the fluids to be introduced to one another in a turbulent fashion causing them to become thoroughly mixed as they pass into the combined fluids distribution tube(s) 8. Because of the disproportionate volumes of the primary fluid and the secondary fluid(s), the secondary fluid(s) will be exhausted prior to the primary fluid which will cause the end of the flow to be mostly the primary fluid. In the event that the recipient(s) release the trigger(s) prior to the exhaustion of all of the fluids, a backpressure will develop upstream of the valve(s) at which point the ball(s) 5 will be immediately forced against the end of the secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4 within the Y(s) item 7 which will create a seal that will prevent the backflow of fluids up the secondary fluid transport tube(s) 4. Once the recipient(s) has completed the task of consumption the release of the trigger(s) will close the valve(s) and prevent any residual fluids from dripping out of the apparatus. The residual fluid that may be trapped within the mouthpiece(s) 10 will remain in the mouthpiece(s) 10 because of the upward angle of the mouthpiece(s) 10.
Referring to FIG. 5 which shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing apparatus 22 where the primary collection funnel 13 is attached to and molded with the secondary collection funnel 14.
Referring to FIG. 5 attached and molded to both the primary collection funnel 13 and the secondary collection funnel 14 is a secondary fluid transport tube 15 which has its top opening sealed to the bottom of the secondary collection funnel 14 in such a way that only the liquid that is collected in the secondary collection funnel 14 will be allowed to flow down the secondary fluid transport tube 15.
Referring to FIG. 5 attached and molded to the bottom of the primary collection funnel 13 is a combined fluids distribution tube 17 fluid which has its top opening sealed to the bottom of the primary collection funnel 13.
Referring to FIG. 5 the combined fluids distribution tube 17 has a kink point 16 integrated within its body so that the combined fluids distribution tube 17 can be easily kinked and folded upwards in such a way as to have the bottom of the combined fluids distribution tube 17 elevated above the top of the primary collection funnel 13 thus to prevent liquids that are being collected from flowing out of the bottom of the combined fluids distribution tube 17.
So therefore referring to FIG. 5 apparatus 22 prior to filling the primary collection funnel 13 or the secondary collection funnel 14 one would assure that the combined fluids distribution tube 17 is kinked at kink point 16 and the bottom of the combined fluids distribution tube 17 is elevated above the top of the primary collection funnel 13. Next a primary fluid such as beer or an energy drink is poured into the primary collection funnel 13 it will flow to the kink near the top of the combined fluids distribution tube 17. At such a time the top of the combined fluids distribution tube 17 will fill to capacity and the primary fluid backflow up the secondary fluid transport tube 15, thence the filling will continue to the desired level. After which a secondary fluid(s) such as whisky or a liqueur is poured into the secondary collection funnel(s), this secondary fluid(s) will flow though the secondary fluid transport tube(s) 15 forcing the primary fluid out of the tube. At this point continued filling of a secondary fluid(s) will cause the secondary fluid(s) to backflow into the bottom of the primary collection funnel 13. In the event that the specific gravity of the secondary fluid is greater than that of the primary fluid, some of the secondary fluid may drop into the combined fluids distribution tube 17. When the filling of the secondary fluid(s) is halted, the fluid levels will stabilize with each other and the top of the fluids will be at the same elevation as each other. At this point the apparatus is full and the liquids are ready to be dispensed. Now the recipient(s) may hold or have held the entire apparatus in such a way that so that the bottom of the combined fluids distribution tube 17 is at their mouth level, they may choose to start to unfold the tube at the kink point 16 to make this easier. With their lips sealed against the bottom of the combined fluids distribution tube 17 the tube is straightened and as the apparatus is lifted simultaneously therefore the kink will be relieved thus starting the flow of fluid. The fluid at the bottom of the combined fluids distribution tube 17 will be under pressure because of the height differential between the top elevation of the fluids verses the bottom elevation of the tube, this will aid in the rapid consumption of all of the fluids within the apparatus. The fluid that is in the combined fluids distribution tube, which will in the beginning be mostly the primary fluid, will start to flow creating a suction on the fluid above. This suction in turn will draw the fluid from the secondary fluid transport tube 15 thus allowing the secondary fluid(s) to be vacuumed into the stream of the primary fluid that is rushing down the primary collection funnel 13. This will cause the fluids to be introduced to one another in a turbulent fashion causing them to become thoroughly mixed as they pass into the combined fluids distribution tube(s) 17. Because of the disproportionate volumes of the primary fluid and the secondary fluid(s), the secondary fluid(s) will be exhausted prior to the primary fluid which will cause the end of the flow to be mostly the primary fluid.
Referring to FIG. 5 this apparatus 22 could be molded as one part and made to be disposable.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising of primary and secondary funnels attached to each other in such a way as to allow independent collection and isolation of different fluids, each said funnel is connected to a fluid transport tube, said fluid transport tubes may be then connected to an inverted Y which would act as a fluid splitting device which would in turn be connected to additional fluid transport tubes, selected fluid transport tubes are then connected to a Y which is used as a combining assembly with an integrated check valve, in turn the Y is connected to a fluid distribution tube which is connected to an optional trigger type valve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein two or more funnels, large open mouth facing upwards and small end facing downward are attached to one another in such a way that they can be filled individually with different fluids.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the small end of said funnels are each connected to their own respective fluid transport tubes.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each said fluid will largely remain within the confines of said funnel and respective fluid transport tubes.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the said fluid transport tubes may be connected to the top of an inverted Y so as to split a fluid from a single fluid transport tube into multiple fluid transport tubes.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein 2 or more of the said fluid transport tubes each containing a different liquid are all connected to the top of a Y that acts as a fluid combining device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the bottom of said Y is connected to a combined fluid transport tube.

8. A fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising of primary and secondary funnels, each said funnel is connected to a fluid transport tube, fluid transport tubes are then connected to a Y which is used as a combining assembly with an integrated check valve which contains a ball and a pin and utilizes a fluid transport tube, in turn this Y is connected to a fluid distribution tube which is connected to an optional trigger type valve.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the body of the Y acts as the exterior structure for a integrated check valve containing a ball and a pin.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising of said fluid transport tube acting as an upper seat and seal for said check valve ball and said pin acting as bottom support for said check valve ball. Said check valve stops flow of fluid traveling upwards towards the secondary funnel(s).

11. A fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising of primary and secondary funnels, each said funnel is connected to a fluid transport tube, fluid transport tubes are then connected to a Y, in turn the Y is connected to a fluid distribution tube which is then connected to an optional trigger type valve with an optional auto off feature and an optional mouth piece.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the trigger type valve is attached to the lower end of the fluid distribution tube.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the trigger type valve has the option of being either locked into the open/on position or the trigger type valve may be used in such a way that when the trigger is released, it returns to the closed/off position automatically.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the trigger type valve has the option of having attached to the outlet port, a mouth piece.