Patent Application
20060201417
This invention relates to a novel method and a novel device for applying a dry granular, flaked, shaved or powder substance (Spice) to the rim of drink-ware, when two (2) or more Spice options are desired to select from. And said device provides for easy access to said Spices, economizes available bar space and protects and preserves the components of the drinkware rimming system (Spices, wetting agent and suspension material) in the preparation of rimming a beverage of any type, nature, alcoholic or otherwise.
Rimming drinkware for beverages unto itself is not novel. The margarita, a cocktail which is generally made with tequila liquor mixed with lime, lemon and other juices and cordials had been served in drinkware whose rims were coated with salt. This salted rim application had customarily been accomplished by moistening the rim of the glass with an aqueous solution and inserting the moistened rim into a dish or reservoir of salt.
Rimming drinkware however has grown in popularity as on-premise establishments (e.g. restaurant, nightclub, clubhouse, café, bar, tavern, etc.) strive to improve consumer perception of drink values, reduce costs and/or offer presentations where consumers otherwise may not readily have access to. Traditional salt as described in the above Margarita example, and similarly ordinary sugar, have fallen short of consumer and vendor expectations. Spice, however, with its brilliant colors, array of flavors and powerful aromas that include expensive food science ingredients and preparations have captured both consumer and vendor imagination. As a result the number and complexity of different Spice preparations have exploded.
Current rimming devices ‘rimmers’ were designed for salt and sugar as explained above. Both salt and sugar have no added ingredients and are relatively inexpensive commodities. There had been little or no cause for handling with increased or specialized care, protecting or preserving them. For example, when cleaning the devices, excess salt or sugar could easily be discarded.
Rimmers also are designed to accommodate at most two (2) ‘Spice’ selections (e.g. salt and sugar) and, if so equipped, inadequately separate a moistening agent and/or suspension material such as a sponge away from the Spice to avoid cross contamination.
Spice formulations today include expensive flavors, colors and food ingredients for specific performance criteria. The preparations can be expensive, particularly in contrast to ounce/ounce comparisons to both salt and sugar commodities and vendors are reluctant to simply discard unused quantities. It is undesirable for one Spice preparation to interfere, blend or mix with any other Spice(s) and particularly adverse for the moistening agent to contaminate any of the Spices due to evaporation, spilling or other possible mishap.
The present invention addresses and solves the logistic, ergonomic and economic considerations presented. The present invention houses two (2) or more Spice selections, separates and protects one Spice from all others, easily allows users to remove one spice from the cabinet for cleaning/exchanging/replenishing purposes, separates and protects all spices from the wetting agent and its reservoir and/or Rimming Dish and consumes less area than traditional rimmers in overall footprint and particularly on a per spice to area ratio.
New beverage options enter the marketplace every day and continue to crowd bars and beverage preparation areas. As a result, vendors are seeking to economize every aspect of space, use every ounce of product and to maximize productivity while offering exciting and diverse preparations. Traditional rimmers would force vendors to attempt to use many individual dispensers or use many traditional rimmers, but all of such alternatives are undesirable in terms of their functionality, ergonomics, preservation of the spice and space utilization. The concept of rimming beverages has suffered as a result of these inadequacies. The Rimming Cabinet as described herein resolves the presented obstacles.
The present invention is directed to a novel device and method of applying a dry granular, flaked, shaved or powder substance (Spice) to the rim of common drinkware and to afford access to two (2) or more Spice selections for use in a preferred embodiment of that method.
In accordance with the method of this invention, a wetting agent is applied to the rim of drinkware to moisten its rim. The drinkware, again inverted, is introduced into customarily one (or more) said Spice selections, which thus adheres to the rim of the drinkware by virtue of the kinematic forces present in the moisture on the moistened rim.
A principal object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved method and device of dispensing or otherwise making easily available two (2) or more Spice selections from the same device in preparing a beverage whose rim is coated with a Spice and similarly to apply the wetting agent by means of the same device.
Two or more Spice dispensing locations by means of Drawers, arms, stands or otherwise (Drawers) are shaped and contoured so that the Spice when introduced into the Drawer, due to the force of gravity, naturally draws the spice to the outer edges of the interior contour of the Drawer. This distribution effect shall cause the Spice to be more efficiently utilized, increasing yield per ounce of Spice and reducing potential waste of remaining Spice in the Drawer and further when drinkware is inverted and introduced into the drawer, the Spice may more completely extend over the drinkware rim.
A contoured Liner may be inserted and fitted into the Drawer thereby protecting and separating the Drawer from the Spice and better facilitate exchanging a Spice in a particular Drawer and cleaning a Spice from a Drawer. Further, a Liner may be required to house the Spice into a fitted, contoured AND a hollowed Drawer. In either Drawer scenario e.g. hollowed or contoured/fitted, said Liner may be pre-filled, re-filled, removed, discarded, cleaned and/or readily exchanged with the same or different Spice in any one or other Drawers.
Similarly, the Liner may also be contoured so Spice will migrate naturally due to the forces of gravity toward the interior outer edges of the Liner due to gravity's presence on Spice in the Liner and Spice will migrate away from the center point of the Liner, down its descents and toward the outer and interior edge of the Liner's plane. This process affords greater contact area over drinkware rim and the Spice. The process will further afford greater utilization of Spice (e.g. less waste) in the liner and/or drawer.
The device shall also provide for a wetting reservoir and area for the customary practice of applying a wetting agent to the rim of the drinkware when it is inverted and its rim introduced into the wetting agent. This wetting reservoir may similarly be contoured (female) to accommodate a liner styled apparatus or Rimming Dish (male). In either scenario, the wetting reservoir or the Rimming Dish would house and serve to apply the wetting agent, and if so desired include a suspension material such as a sponge, to apply the wetting agent to the rim of the drinkware when it is inverted and introduced into the wetting agent and/or suspension material.
That the wetting reservoir and Rimming Dish is of greater depth and height than that of the suspension material so as to reduce the potential for spilling or overflow of the wetting agent when the wetting agent is applied into the wetting reservoir and/or onto the suspension material. And further to reduce the potential for overflow of the wetting agent over the wetting reservoir and/or Rimming Dish when drinkware is introduced into the wetting reservoir, Rimming Dish or suspension material causing a reduction in capacity for the wetting agent in the wetting reservoir and Rimming Dish.
Said Rimming Dish shall be contoured with thumb and finger grasp center post and peripheral edge so that either location(s) may serve as handling points. These handling points will facilitate removal, replacement to refill, replace, discard, clean and/or readily exchange with new said Rimming Dish, wetting agent and or suspension material.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The extension of the base (e.g. footprint) that accommodates the wetting reservoir and/or Rimming Dish is extended in the direction of the Drawer opening and creates a lever point at the furthest point in the front of the base of the Cabinet (in the direction of the drawer extension), so that when a Drawer is opened, particularly one that is filled with Spice and particularly when drinkware is depressed into the Spice, the resulting weight and downward forces could otherwise topple the Cabinet forward in the direction of the extended drawer and make the structure less sturdy. The extension of the base affords stability when a Drawer is extended and when drinkware is depressed into a Drawer & Spice.
The bottom surface area of the base at where the Cabinet makes contact with that of any countertop, table top or other surface the Cabinet may rest upon can be fitted with a waterproof, nonskid and/or elevated surface so as to prevent the cabinet from trapping water or moisture beneath the Cabinet commonly found in bar applications and from restricting the Cabinet from sliding forward or backward when a Drawer is either extended or retracted.
Before explaining the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the particular arrangements shown and description since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
Referring first to
The Drawer (2) is contoured, shaped, vaulted and domed as shown in
The Drawer contours are designed such that a fitted and matching (male) Liner,
Shown in
The Wetting Reservoir Area (4) shown in
Suspension material area(s) (12) of the Wetting Reservoir (4) and similarly of the Rimming Dish (5) are of greater depth and height than that of the suspension material so as to reduce the potential for spilling or overflow of the wetting agent when applied to the suspension material and further when drinkware is introduced into the same.
The Wetting Reservoir Area (4) and Rimming Dish (5), including suspension material (12) and wetting agent, and the moisture from the wetting agent, either through direct contact or due to the wetting agents' evaporation, are separated in proximity to avoid wetting agent or Spice contamination while being integrated into the same device.
A sliding, rotating, folding or other door contraption (not shown) may cover the Wetting Reservoir and/or Rimming Dish to protect and preserve the suspension material and wetting agent when not in use.
In
