Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6527145
-
Patent Number
6,527,145
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, September 26, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 4, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Mancene; Gene
- Cantagena; Melvin A.
Agents
- Shlesinger, Arkwright & Garvey LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 222 835
- 222 88
- 222 89
- 222 181
- 222 1811
- 222 1812
- 222 1813
- 222 1851
- 222 4815
- 222 325
- 285 12
- 285 14818
- 285 14828
- 285 333
- 285 355
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A beverage dispenser comprises a support structure; a first tube secured to the support structure; a connector secured to one end of the first tube, the connector having an opening therethrough so as to be in communication with the first tube; and a valve secured to another end of the tube. The connector is secured to a beverage container so that the opening is in communication with the interior of the beverage container to allow the beverage to flow through the first tube and through an open valve. The connector includes first and second inside threads to selectively connect to outside threads of a respective smaller or larger beverage container.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser in general and in particular to a beverage dispenser to which a beverage container attaches and where the beverage container may come in one or two capacities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Soft drink beverages come in different size containers, such two-liter or three-liter bottles. The beverage is typically dispensed by opening the mouth of the container and pouring an amount into a cup. When children help themselves, it is sometimes unavoidable that spillage would occur, due to the weight of the container and the clumsiness of the children. Sometimes, too, children fail to close the cap bottle, which would cause the beverage to go flat over time due to escaping gas. There is, therefore, a need for a beverage dispenser that would be easy to use, particularly by children.
Each size container would have different size openings. Consequently, a dispenser designed for one bottle may not work with another bottle. Accordingly, there is a need for a beverage dispenser that can accommodate two different size bottles without the need for multiple dispensers.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispenser that is easy and convenient to use, particularly by children.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispenser that can accommodate different size bottles.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispenser that keeps the gas from escaping when not dispensing.
In summary, the present invention provides a beverage dispenser, comprising a support structure; a first tube secured to the support structure; a connector secured to one end of the first tube, the connector having an opening therethrough so as to be in communication with the first tube; and a valve secured to another end of the tube. The connector is secured to a beverage container so that the opening is in communication with the interior of the beverage container to allow the beverage to flow through the first tube and through an open valve. The connector includes first and second inside threads to selectively connect to outside threads of a respective smaller or larger beverage container.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a beverage dispensed made in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a side elevational view of
FIG. 1
, with portions shown in cross-section.
FIG. 3
is a cross-sectional view along line
3
—
3
in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 4
is an assembly view of a connector made in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5
is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing attachment of a larger bottle to the connector.
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of the connector of
FIG. 4
shown assembled together.
FIG. 7
is a perspective assembly view of a valve used in the present invention.
FIG. 8
is a cross-sectional view taken along line
8
—
8
in
FIG. 2
, showing the valve in the closed position.
FIG. 9
is a cross-sectional view taken along line
9
—
9
in
FIG. 2
, showing the valve in the open position.
FIG. 10
is a cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 8
, showing the valve in the open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A beverage dispenser R made in accordance with the present invention is disclosed in FIG.
1
. The dispenser R includes a support structure
2
, a valve
4
and a connector
6
for connecting the dispenser to a beverage container
8
. Although the beverage dispenser R is disclosed for use in dispensing beverages such as soda, it can be used for dispensing any liquids, such as bottled water, juices, etc.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, a tube
10
conveys the liquid within the container
8
to the valve
4
for dispensing. An air bleed tube
12
provides the means for equalizing pressure within the container
8
with respect to the outside when the beverage is dispensed. A free end
13
of the tube
12
is advantageously disposed above the liquid level
15
to allow air within the container to communicate with the outside air when the valve
4
is open. When the valve
4
is closed, the tube
12
is closed to the outside, thereby keeping the beverage gas from escaping which if allowed to happen can make the beverage taste flat over time.
The support structure
2
may be in any shape sufficient to support the container
8
in an upright inverted position or any position to allow the beverage to drain to the tube
12
. The support structure
2
provides the means for supporting the tube
10
and the beverage container
8
. An exemplary cylindrical shell is disclosed with an intermediate cross member
14
operably secured to an upright portion
16
of the tube
10
. An opening
18
at the side wall of the support structure
2
is provided to allow a horizontal portion
20
of the tube
10
to extend through. A 90° elbow
22
connects the vertical horizontal portions
16
and
20
of the tube
10
. The support structure
2
has an opening
24
at the top and an opening
26
at the bottom. The opening
24
is large enough to accommodate containers wider than the typical soda bottles.
As described above, the tube
10
is disclosed as having three components joined together with cooperating threads
28
at the elbow
22
. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the tube
10
may be made in various ways, such as being molded in one piece or being made from flexible tubing without the elbow
22
. It should also be understood that the tube
10
provides the means for conveying the beverage from the container
8
to the valve
4
.
The top most end of the vertical portion
16
has inside threads
30
adapted to receive cooperating threads in the connector
6
, thereby securing the connector
6
to the tube
10
. The outermost end of the horizontal portion
20
has an enlarged portion
32
adapted to receive and be secured to a coupling portion
34
of the valve
4
by standard means such as by glueing, screw threads, etc. A seal
36
provides a liquid-tight connection. The valve
4
also has a coupling tube
38
that couples to an end portion of the bleed tube
12
in a friction fit manner or other standard means.
Referring to
FIG. 4
, the connector
6
is a two-part system comprising a body
40
that mates to another body
42
.
Referring back to
FIG. 3
, the body
40
is substantially cylindrical in shape with an intermediate outwardly projecting radial flange
44
. The body
40
has a through-opening
46
that communicates with the tube
10
and with the interior of the container
8
, as best shown in FIG.
3
. The body
40
has outside threads
48
that mate with the inside threads
30
of the tube
10
to thereby secure the body
40
to the tube
10
. Other standard means may be used to secure the body
40
to the tube
10
. The body
40
further includes inside threads
50
that mate with the corresponding outside threads at the neck of the container
8
.
The body
42
is a sleeve-like structure with an inwardly projecting radial flange
52
adapted to receive and support the radial flange
44
of the body
40
. The body
42
has inner threads
54
that are adapted to cooperate with the corresponding outer threads at the neck of a larger container
8
, as best shown in FIG.
5
. When secured to the tube
10
, the flange
52
is sandwiched between an upper edge of the upright portion
16
and the flange
44
, as best shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
.
The body
40
is keyed to the body
42
by means of corresponding planar surfaces
56
and
58
to advantageously prevent rotation of the body
42
with respect to the body
40
while screwing or unscrewing the container
8
to the inner threads
54
. The bodies
40
and
42
are mated together, as shown in FIG.
6
. Note the opening
46
that communicates with the interior of the container
8
and the tube
10
. Also note the inner threads
50
and
54
that are configured to mate with the outer threads on the neck of the bottle
8
. The inner threads
50
and
54
are preferably concentric when the bodies
40
and
42
are mated together.
The inner threads
50
or
54
provide the means for selectively connecting the dispenser R to the outside threads of a respective smaller or larger beverage container without the need for multiple dispensers for different size containers.
Referring to
FIG. 7
, the valve
4
includes a housing
60
and a valve member
62
. The housing
60
includes a valve seat portion
64
and the coupling portion
34
.
The valve member
62
is a cylindrical sleeve that fits in a rotating manner within the valve seat
64
. The valve member
62
includes an opening
68
that communicates with an opening
70
of the coupling portion
34
when in the open position. The valve member
62
further includes an opening
72
that communicates with the bleed tube
12
when in the open position. A handle
74
is secured to the valve member
62
to allow the user to operate the valve member
62
in the open or closed position.
Referring to
FIG. 3
, the valve member
62
is divided into a first passageway
76
that communicates with the tube
10
and another passageway
78
that communicates with the bleed tube
12
. A vertical divider wall
80
with a top horizontal wall
82
divides the passageways
76
and
78
from each other.
Referring to
FIG. 8
, the valve
4
in the closed position blocks off the opening to the bleed tube
12
and to the tube
10
. The openings
68
and
72
are displaced circumferentially so that they are not in communication with tube
10
and the bleed tube
12
at the same time, respectively. As the valve member
62
is turned clockwise, with reference to
FIG. 8
, the opening
72
connects with the bleed tube connector
38
first before the opening
68
connects with the tube
10
. In this manner, any pressure differential between the interior of the container
8
and the outside is first equalized before any beverage starts flowing through the valve. This would prevent any uneven or abrupt discharge of the liquid during the initial dispensing due to any pressure differential between the air pocket within the container and the outside.
Referring to
FIGS. 9 and 10
, the valve
4
in the open position shows that the opening
68
is in communication with another opening
84
.in the housing
60
that communicates with the tube
10
. Similarly, the opening
72
is in communication with the tube
38
that connects to the bleed tube
12
.
The various components of the dispenser R may be made from plastic or suitable material. Although the beverage dispenser R is disclosed as having several components that are joined together, the various components may be molded in one piece. For example, the support structure
2
, the tube
10
and the connector
6
may be molded in one piece. In this manner, various joint means, such as the threads
28
and
30
may be eliminated.
While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A beverage dispenser, comprising:a) a support structure; b) a first tube operatively secured to said support structure; c) a connector operatively secured to one end of said first tube; d) said connector having an opening therethrough so as to be in communication with said first tube; e) a valve operatively secured to another end of said tube; f) said connector for being secured to a beverage container so that said opening is in communication with the interior of the beverage container to allow the beverage to flow through said first tube and through said valve when said valve is open; g) said connector including first and second inside threads to selectively connect to outside threads of a respective smaller or larger beverage container; i) said another end of said first tube including an enlarged portion; and j) said valve including a coupling portion received within said enlarged portion.
- 2. A beverage dispenser, comprising:a) a support structure; b) a first tube operatively secured to said support structure; c) a connector operatively secured to one end of said first tube; d) said connector having an opening therethrough so as to be in communication with said first tube; e) a valve operatively secured to another end of said tube; f) said connector for being secured to a beverage container so that said opening is in communication with the interior of the beverage container to allow the beverage to flow through said first tube and through said valve when said valve is open; g) said connector including first and second inside threads to selectively connect to outside threads of a respective smaller or larger beverage container; h) a bleed tube disposed within said first tube having one end operably communicating to the outside and another end disposed beyond said connector so as to be disposed above the liquid level within the container when the container is secured to said connector; i) said valve including an air passageway selectively in communication with said bleed tube; and j) said valve including a liquid passageway selectively in communication with said first tube.
- 3. A beverage dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:a) said support structure includes a cylindrical wall.
- 4. A beverage dispenser as in claim 3, wherein:a) said support structure includes a member secured to said cylindrical wall; and b) said first tube is supported by said member.
- 5. A beverage dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:a) said support structure includes an opening through said cylindrical wall; and b) said first tube extends through said opening.
- 6. A beverage dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:a) said first tube includes a 90° elbow.
- 7. A beverage dispenser as in claim 6, wherein:a) said first tube includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion; and b) said elbow is secured between said vertical portion and said horizontal portion.
- 8. A beverage dispenser as in claim 7, wherein:a) said elbow is threadedly secured to said vertical portion and said horizontal portion.
- 9. A beverage dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:a) said one end of said first tube is threadedly secured to said connector.
- 10. A beverage dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:a) said another end of said first tube includes an enlarged portion; and b) said valve includes a coupling portion received within said enlarged portion.
- 11. A beverage dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:a) said valve includes a housing and a shut-off member operatively disposed within said housing; b) said housing includes an opening in communication with said first tube and said liquid passageway when said valve is in an open position; and c) said housing includes a coupling tube connected to said bleed tube and in communication with said air passageway when said valve is in an open position.
- 12. A beverage dispenser as in claim 11, wherein:a) said shut-off member includes a first opening selectively in communication with said opening of said housing when said valve is in an open position; and b) said shut-off member includes a second opening selectively in communication with said coupling tube of said housing when said valve is in an open position.
- 13. A beverage dispenser as in claim 12, wherein:a) said first opening is circumferentially offset from said second opening.
- 14. A beverage dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:a) said first and second inside threads are concentric.
- 15. A beverage dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:a) said connector includes outside threads; and b) said first tube includes inside threads cooperating with said outside threads.
- 16. A beverage dispenser as in claim 15, wherein:a) said connector includes first and second bodies; b) said first body includes said first inside threads and said outside threads of said connector; and c) said second body includes said second inside threads.
- 17. A beverage dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:a) said connector includes first and second bodies; b) said first body is substantially cylindrical and includes an outwardly projecting radial flange disposed intermediate said first body; and c) said second body includes an inwardly projecting radial flange for engaging said outwardly projecting radial flange.
- 18. A beverage dispenser as in claim 17, wherein:a) said first and second bodies are keyed to each other such relative rotation between said bodies is prevented.
- 19. A beverage dispenser as in claim 17, wherein:a) said first body includes a portion disposed within an opening of said second body; and b) said first body includes a flat surface engaging a corresponding flat surface on said opening.
- 20. A beverage dispenser, comprising:a) a support structure; b) a tube operatively secured to said support structure; c) a connector operatively secured to one end of said tube; d) said connector having an opening therethrough so as to be in communication with said tube; e) a valve operatively secured to another end of said tube; f) said connector for being secured to a beverage container so that said opening is in communication with the interior of the beverage container to allow the beverage to flow through said tube and through said valve when said valve is open; g) said connector including first and second inside threads to selectively connect to outside threads of a respective smaller or larger beverage container; h) said tube including a 90° elbow; i) said tube including a vertical portion and a horizontal portion; j) said elbow is secured between said vertical portion and said horizontal portion; and k) said elbow is threadedly secured to said vertical portion and said horizontal portion.
US Referenced Citations (14)