Patent Application
20200231360
The present device generally relates to a device for coupling together two beverage containers. Specifically, the device provides for various means to physically attach two cans together and to provide fluid connection between the cans such that the contents of both can be simultaneously consumed. Related systems for providing mixed beverages are also disclosed.
In at least one aspect of the disclosure, a beverage container coupler includes a body defining a first cavity open on a first side of the body and configured for removably retaining a first beverage container, a second cavity open on a second side of the body opposite the first side and configured for removably retaining a second beverage container in proximity with the first beverage container, and a fluid path open between the first cavity and the second cavity. The beverage container coupler further includes a puncturing element at least partially positioned within the first cavity.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a beverage system includes a first beverage container defining a first interior containing a first liquid, a second beverage container defining a second interior containing a second liquid, and a beverage container coupler. The beverage container coupler is useable such that the first cavity is configured for receiving and removably retaining the first beverage container and the second cavity is configured for receiving and removably retaining the second beverage container in proximity with the first beverage container. The puncturing element opens the fluid path to the first interior when the first beverage container is received in the first cavity.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a method for preparing a beverage includes selecting a first beverage container, defining a first interior containing a selected first liquid, from a plurality of first containers having various different first liquids therein and selecting a second beverage container, defining a second interior containing a selected second liquid, from a plurality of second containers having various different second liquids therein. The method further includes assembling the selected second beverage container at least partially within a second cavity open on a second side of a beverage container coupler and assembling the selected first beverage container at least partially within a first cavity open on a first side of the beverage container coupler opposite the second side. The assembly of the selected first beverage container within the first cavity opens a fluid path from the first interior to the second interior to facilitate mixing of the selected first liquid and the selected second liquid at least one of before or during consumption of the beverage from an opening of the first container outside of the beverage container coupler. In one aspect, the method may include opening the second can along a predetermined opening area prior to assembly.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in
As generally disclosed with respect to the
The container coupler 10 described herein and generally illustrated in
As discussed herein, the first and second beverage containers 14 and 18 with which the coupler 10 is intended to operate are various implementations of beverage cans. In general, beverage cans can be manufactured, utilized, and available in a number of configurations, specifics of such that are generally relevant to their use with coupler 10 being discussed herein. In one aspect, such cans are generally made from metal (most commonly, aluminum or various alloys thereof) and include a generally cylindrical side wall 20 with a top cap 24 and a closed bottom 26. Beverage cans of this construction can be made in a variety of particular sizes and top cap 24 configurations, depending on the desired size of the beverage can or other stylistic concerns. In one aspect, the cans comprising the first 14 and second 18 containers can be adapted in size to generally correspond with the type of contents, as discussed further below, and to contain an amount of the particular liquid beverage that accounts for the contents of the first 14 and second 18 containers becoming a single mixed beverage, such that the resulting mixed beverage is of a generally acceptable, or otherwise expected, total quantity (e.g., between 8 and 12 fluid ounces).
By way of example, first container 14 can be adapted for containing a beverage in a relatively smaller quantity (e.g. between 2 and 4 fl. oz. and in one example about 100 ml, or approximately 3.5 fl. oz.) and can have a diameter 24 of about 50 mm and a height of about between about 60 mm and 70 mm (and in one example about 65 mm). Notably, the exact dimensions of the can comprising first container 14 can vary according to factors such as material thickness, tapering of the sidewall 20 toward the top 26 and bottom 22 of the container 14, the shape of the bottom 22 of the container 14, and the structure interface 58 between the top and bottom 22 with the sidewall 20, as well as the desired amount of headspace within container 14, when filled. To provide adequate strength for a container 14 having such dimensions, it may be preferable to fabricate sidewall 20 of a stronger metal than the typical aluminum used for beverage cans. By way of example, such a container 14 can have a sidewall 20 of tin (Sn), various steel compositions, or the like. To allow for sufficient ease of opening container, such as by creating an opening 28′ within the scored area 28 of top cap 26 by use of pull tab 30, the top cap 26 can be fabricated from aluminum and joined with sidewall along the seam forming ridge 58. Similarly, the bottom 22 of the container 14 can be formed by a cap, also of aluminum, that is similarly joined to sidewall 20 at a seam that forms another ridge 58. The cap that comprises the bottom 22 of the container 14 can, in one example, lack the scored area of the top cap 26. The use of aluminum for the bottom 22 of container 14 can, instead, facilitate opening of the fluid path 44 to the interior 48 of first container 14 by penetration of the bottom 22 of the container 14 by puncturing element 46 during assembly of first container 14 into first cavity 12, as discussed further below.
Similarly, the second container 18 can be of a similar diameter 24 as that of first container 14 (which can, in one example, facilitate interoperability of such containers with either cavity 12 or 16, as discussed below), but can be configured with a greater height, such as between about 110 mm and 120 mm (including about 115 mm in one example). In one aspect, coupler 10 can be sized and otherwise configured to operate with containers 14 and 18 having the above-described dimensions, including by way of the shape and configuration of first and second cavities 12 and 16, as discussed further below. Variations of the coupler 10 can be configured, according to the principles discussed herein to operate with containers or differing, or variable sizes, including in diameter. In one example, coupler 10 can be configured to operate with cans that have a generally-accepted “standard” size with a diameter of about 2.6 inches and a height of about 5 inches to contain about 12 fluid ounces of the desired beverage therein (with sufficient allowance for about 0.5 inches of headspace). In one aspect, these types of cans may be referred to as standard 12 oz. cans. As mentioned, many commercially-available cans deviate from these dimensions to, for example, contain a greater or lesser amount of beverage therein to contain the same 12 oz. volume of beverage in a stylistically-distinct can. Consistent with the examples discussed above, some cans may be configured to hold less liquid by reducing the height or diameter of the can below the standard size, while retaining the other standard dimension. In various aspects, discussed herein, coupler 10 can be configured to be interoperable with cans of varying sizes and configurations (including in diameter 24). This can be accomplished, for example, by the configuration of the various sealing elements 52, 66, and 68, as discussed herein, or by making coupler 10 adjustable, such as by allowing for adjustment in the diameter 32 of the cavities 12 and 16, by providing different, interchangeable sealing elements 52, 66, and 68 or by including various spacers or adapters within an overall system 70 (
In general, coupler 10, in all of the forms discussed herein, is arranged to retain the so-called “first” beverage container in the corresponding first cavity 12 and the “second” beverage container 18 in the second cavity 16. Notably, the first cavity 12 is shown in a position vertically above the second cavity 16 with respect to the positioning of coupler 10, as it would be held by a user or positioned on a surface when the user is not consuming any of the liquid from either of the beverage containers 14 and 18. In this, respect the designation of the beverage containers 14 and 18 as “first” and “second” is made only to relate to their position within the respective cavities 12 and 16 and does not imply any order or other designation between the containers 14 and 18, unless specifically stating otherwise. In some aspects, the containers 14 and 18 may be of the same configuration. As further shown in
Specific examples of the means for facilitating fluid communication are discussed in greater detail below, but generally include a structure for accessing or creating an opening (in addition to the opening achieved by using pull tab 30 to open the beverage container 14 along the scored opening area 28 along the top 26 of the beverage container 14) at an area of the beverage container 14 that is within the first cavity 12 and a fluid passageway open to and between the accessed or created opening in the first beverage container 14 and an opening in the second container 18. In one aspect, the opening in the second container 18 may be the opening achieved by using the pull tab 30 on the top 26 of the can to open the corresponding scored open area 28. In another aspect, the coupler may be configured to create an additional opening in the second container 18 in an area thereof within the second cavity 16.
As shown in greater detail in
Similar to the first seal channel 60 of the first cavity 12, the second cavity 16 can include a second seal channel 72 to receive one of the remaining sealing members 66 therein. The second seal channel 72 is generally square-shaped in profile, and extends circumferentially around the entire interior surface of second cavity 16. In this manner, second seal channel 72 can receive the second sealing member 66 therein, which may also be in the form of a specifically-adapted or selected O-ring with the sealing member 66 similarly positioned and arranged to contact the sidewall 20 of the second container 18 in a continuous manner around a portion thereof. This configuration allows the second sealing member 66 to both help to retain second container 18 within second cavity 16 (including under gravity when a user holds an assembly of coupler 10 with first and second containers 14 and 18 by the coupler 10) and to prevent any liquid that enters second cavity 12 from the fluid path between opening 44 and the interior 50 of the second container 18 from escaping the second cavity 18. Both of the sealing elements can be fabricated from various elastomeric materials (including FDA-approved food-safe variations thereof) including silicon, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or the like.
In the example shown in
As shown in
When the first sealing member 52 is not in the extended/compressed position, the first container 14 can be freely inserted into or removed from the first cavity 12. In this manner, the positioning of cap 64 in the position shown in
As shown in
As discussed above, the opening 44 between first 12 and second 16 cavities defines at least a portion of a fluid path between the interior 48 of the first container 14 and the interior 50 of the second container 18, when both are assembled with coupler (
As also shown in
As shown in
As shown in
When both the first container 14 and second container 18 are assembled with the coupler 14, the cap 64 can be tightened onto body 34 to secure the first container 14 within the first cavity 12, and the user can open the first container 14 using the pull tab 30. In one aspect, a portion of the contents of the first container 14 can move under gravity along the primary flow path 92a into the interior of the second container 18 to fill the headspace thereof and to begin the mixing of the contents of the first and second containers 14 and 18. Additionally, the contents of the containers can mix as the user tips the can to consume the contents through the opening 28 in the first container 14. Depending on user preference, the assembly of the first 14 and second 18 containers with coupler 10 can be inverted to cause additional mixing prior to opening of the first container 14.
As shown in
As further shown in
In a particular implementation of the system, the containers 14 and 18 can include various liquids used as the ingredients or components of a mixed alcoholic drink (or a “cocktail”) with at least one of the containers 14 and 18 including at least one liquid characterized as a “spirit”, such as rum, gin, vodka, tequila, various whiskeys, and the like, a liquor, or other alcoholic beverages that may be mixed as the primary source of alcohol content into a cocktail. In such a system, the other of the containers 14 and 18 may include one or more “mixers”, which may serve to dilute or otherwise supplement the primary alcohol of the spirit. In various examples, mixers may include various sodas (club soda, cola, lemon-lime soda, ginger beer, etc.), tonic water, other “secondary” alcohol sources (such as various types of vermouth, potable and “non-potable” bitters, champagne, beer, etc.), or predetermined mixtures thereof. Depending on the particular configuration of coupler 10, as well as the containers 14 and 18, the first container 14 may include the spirit and the second container 18 may include the mixer, although other arrangements are possible and may be made based on user preference.
In one particular example, aspects of the system may be provided by a common source with the coupler 10, including various types of canned spirits and canned mixers. Such a system 70 may also facilitate the use of a third-party mixer, such as a particular commercially-available cola. For example, a source may make available coupler 10, a canned bourbon, and a preconfigured mixer useable with the canned bourbon to result in an “old fashioned” (in one example, such a mixer can include orange extract or other flavor, cherry juice or other flavor, “aromatic” bitters, and water (or club soda) in a predetermined amount) and may be provided in a variation of the second container 18a that is dimensionally (and volumetrically similar) to that of the first container 14. In this example, selecting the first container 14 as the spirit and the second container 18a as the “old fashioned mixer” (or vice-versa) can allow the user to easily mix such a cocktail. In another example, a user may make a rum-and-cola by selecting a canned rum and the user's preferred canned cola. Other examples, of spirits and mixers are possible. Because the volumes of such ingredients or combined ingredients may vary from the 12 oz. quantity of the above-described “standard” can, the first and second containers 14 and 18 in such a system may vary in size, including in sizes of between 2 oz. and 8 oz. with other sizes being possible, as discussed above.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/793,546 entitled “BEVERAGE CONTAINER COUPLER AND RELATED SYSTEMS,” filed on Jan. 17, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62793546 | Jan 2019 | US |
