Mixed drinks are beverages that include two or more ingredients. For example, a mixed alcoholic beverage can include at least one non-alcoholic beverage that is mixed with a distilled beverage. In another example, non-alcoholic beverages can include at least two different non-alcoholic beverages mixed together, such as a liquid concentrate that is mixed with water or soda.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A beverage container includes a first chamber or reservoir, a second chamber or reservoir and a dispensing mechanism that dispenses at least a portion of a fluid from the first reservoir into the second reservoir. The dispensing mechanism includes a tube and a plunger located within the tube and being movable between a first position within the tube and a second position within the tube. The plunger is configured to intake the fluid from the first reservoir into the tube when the plunger is retracted into the second position and being configured to expel the fluid into the second reservoir when the plunger is pushed back into the first position. The dispensing mechanism further includes a first check valve that allows the fluid in the first reservoir to enter the tube when the plunger is retracted into the second position but prevent the fluid from entering back into the first reservoir when the plunger is pushed back into the first position and a second check valve that allows the fluid in the tube to be expelled into the second reservoir when the plunger is pushed back into the first position but prevents contents in the second reservoir from entering into the tube when the plunger is retracted into the second position.
A method of mixing a secondary fluid with a primary fluid in a beverage container is also provided. A beverage container is obtained that houses a primary reservoir that holds the primary fluid, a secondary reservoir that holds the secondary fluid and a syringe for transferring the secondary fluid into the primary fluid. The secondary fluid is dispensed into the primary fluid by pulling a plunger of the syringe from a first position in a tube to a second position in the tube to fill the tube with at least a portion of the secondary fluid, returning the plunger from the second position to the first position to expel the portion of the secondary fluid into the primary fluid, and a first check valve prevents the portion of the secondary fluid that filled the tube from returning back into the secondary reservoir.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.
Embodiments described herein include a beverage container having dual chambers that provide the function of mixing two separately contained fluids together to make a consumable mixed drink (i.e., a cocktail). For example, a liquid beverage, such as a liquid containing alcohol, can be contained in one of the chambers of the beverage container and another type of liquid beverage can be contained in the other chamber of the beverage container to then be mixed together when needed. Such a beverage container eliminates the need to carry several containers and makes the beverage container a self-contained, portable beverage mixer. Other exemplary uses include, but are not limited to, introducing a liquid neutralizing agent, such as iodine, stored in one of the chambers into a contaminated fluid, such as water that is contaminated with bacteria, which is stored in the other chambers. Another exemplary use includes introducing a portion of a liquid beverage stored in a second chamber into a first chamber so that the second chamber that contains the remaining portion of liquid beverage cannot be contaminated while the portion of the liquid beverage that was introduced into the first chamber can be consumed from the first chamber.
Beverage container 100 includes a dispensing mechanism 114 that dispenses at least a portion of a second liquid located in second chamber 104 into first chamber 102. A bottom wall 107 of first chamber 102 includes a centrally located through hole 110 through which is attached a portion of dispensing mechanism 114. More specifically, attached to through hole 110 is an upper check valve 112. Upper check valve 112 is fixedly attached, by a manufacturing procedure, such as, but not limited to, adhesive bonding, ultrasonically welding, solvent bonding, or molding. Upper check valve 112 is oriented in a manner such that liquid can flow through hole 110 in a direction 113 from second chamber 104 up into first chamber 102 and can prevent the flow of liquid through hole 110 in a direction opposite to direction 113. In other words, the orientation of upper check valve 112 prevents liquid from entering into second chamber 104 via gravity.
Remaining portions of dispensing mechanism 114 are located in second chamber 104 including dispensing mechanism 114 having a tubular plunger body assembly or syringe 119. Syringe 119 includes a tube 132 and a plunger 122 located and movable within tube 132. Portions of dispensing mechanism 114 are secured to a mounting block 115 that also defines a recessed pocket 120 in a bottom wall 109 of second chamber 104. Recessed pocket 120 allows the user to access the proximal handle end portion 121 of plunger 122 from the bottom of beverage container 100 to dispense liquid from second chamber 104 into first chamber 102. The dispensing mechanism 114 attaches into a counter bore 125 of mounting block 115.
Dispensing mechanism 114 also includes a lower check valve 138 fixedly attached to through hole 136 and extending within the wall of, but not beyond the inner lumen of tube 132. Lower check valve 138 is oriented such that the flow direction 140 allows liquid to flow into the inner lumen of tube 132 and is oriented to prevent liquid from flowing in a direction opposite from flow direction 140. A conduit 142 having an open end 143 is attached to lower check valve 138 to allow liquid contained in second chamber 104 to flow up conduit 142 in direction 144. Conduit 142 is positioned such that open end 143 is located near bottom wall 109 of second chamber 104.
Plunger tube top 130 is fixedly attached to a top end of tube 132. Plunger tube top 130 has a recessed pocket 146 that houses a washer 148. Washer 148 is a resilient material that protrudes from top of the tubular plunger body assembly 119 so that it compresses against bottom wall 107 of first chamber 102. Washer 148 compresses when first chamber 102 is completely attached to second chamber 104. The compression of washer 148 creates a liquid tight seal isolating first chamber 102 from second chamber 104. Therefore, when first chamber 102 is attached to second chamber 104, dispensing mechanism 114 is a sealed pressure vessel.
Plunger 122 has a distal end 150 that is made of a resilient material that is slightly oversized to create a seal within the lumen of tube 132, while a proximal handle end portion 121 of plunger 122 acts as the handle of plunger 122. When plunger 122 is in a first position (
When a liquid or beverage is placed in second chamber 104 and open end 143 of conduit 142 is placed in the liquid or beverage in second chamber 104, pulling down or back on proximal handle end portion 121 of plunger 122 into a second position (
Retracting or pushing plunger 122 back into the first position (
Beverage chamber 100 can be made from a variety of materials such as but not limited to, polymers, metals, metal alloys, etc. Processes such as plastic injection molding, blow molding or other conventional machining or manufacturing processes could be used to manufacture beverage chamber 100. Secondary manufacturing process, such as but not limited to adhesive bonding, welding, molding or a compression fit could be used to install and fixedly attach the check valves 112 and 138. Secondary processes to install dispensing mechanism 114 can also be used, such as but not limited to, adhesive bonding, welding, molding or compression fits.
Beverage container 200 includes a dispensing mechanism 214 that dispenses at least a portion of a fluid located in external chamber 204 into internal chamber 202. A bottom wall 250 of internal chamber 202 includes a centrally located first through hole 210 through which a portion of dispenser mechanism 214 is attached. Bottom wall 250 of internal chamber 202 also includes a second through hole 226 located between first through hole 210 and the side wall of internal chamber 202 through which another portion of dispenser mechanism 214 is attached.
Dispensing mechanism 214 also includes a first conduit 228a, a second conduit 228b, an upper check valve 212 and a lower check valve 238. First conduit 228a connects the fluid in external chamber or first reservoir 204 with syringe 219 and second conduit 228b connects the fluid drawn into syringe 219 with internal chamber or second reservoir 202. Each valve 212 and 238 acts as a one-way valve. Lower check valve 238 is connected to upper check valve 212 by first conduit 228a, a T-fitting 227 and a second conduit 228b. Lower check valve 238 is connected to connector 230 by first conduit 228a and T-fitting 227. Lower check valve 238 is interposed in first conduit 228a to allow liquid or beverage to flow in a direction 240 through connector 230 and fill the inner lumen of tube 232. Lower check valve 238 is also interposed in first conduit 228a to prevent or block liquid or beverage from flowing in an opposite direction from direction 240. Upper check valve 212 is interposed in second conduit 228b to allow liquid or beverage to flow in a direction 241 from T-fitting 227 into internal chamber 202 and prevents or blocks the flow of liquid or beverage in an opposite direction from direction 241.
When a liquid or beverage is placed in external chamber 204, an open end of lower check valve 238 is placed in the liquid or beverage. To mix the separately contained beverages, a user removes lid 203, accesses a proximal handle end portion 221 of plunger 222 from a top of beverage container 100 and pulls back or up on handle end portion 221 from a first position (
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/848,228, filed Dec. 28, 2012, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61848228 | Dec 2012 | US |