Patent Application
20110114654
The present invention relates to a container for fluids. In particular, the present apparatus and methods are directed to a sensory aroma glass.
Prior devices include a variety of drinking vessels that allow for improved olfaction from the vessel during consumption of a beverage, and vessel covers which prevent insects from contacting the liquid contents.
One prior device is a drinking glass having the dual purpose of providing, in addition to drinking therefrom, the ability to sample the aroma emitted from the beverage. The device has at least one inner element inside the drinking glass dividing the glass into a drinking compartment and an aroma compartment. This allows the aroma of the beverage to be sampled from the aroma compartment while consuming the beverage from the drinking compartment.
Another prior device is a drinking glass which allows for improved olfaction from the glass in addition to drinking therefrom. The rim of the glass has a cut-out section to create a facial profile to receive the nose.
Another prior device is a cover for a container which will allow liquid contents to exit while preventing intrusion of insects. The cover has a plastic screen which is attachable and detachable from the upper rim of the container.
Another prior device has an improved cover for a container which allows liquid contents to exit while preventing the intrusion of insects. The cover has an annular guard formed with a downwardly extending skirt and an orthogonally upwardly positioned rim including a screen matrix tapering downwardly to meter flow of beverage through the openings.
A sensory aroma glass is disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a fluid barrier; and a fluid container having a rim and side wall and is designed for containing a fluid. The fluid barrier is in contact with the rim or internal or external side wall of the fluid container. The fluid barrier extends into the fluid container. The fluid barrier has an opening that allows an aroma of the fluid to escape from the fluid container without allowing the fluid to escape from the fluid container, even when tipped in any direction.
The above and other preferred features, including various novel details of implementation and combination of elements, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular methods and circuits described herein are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the principles and features described herein may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.
The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of the present specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below serve to explain and teach the principles of the present invention.
It should be noted that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the various embodiments described herein. The figures do not describe every aspect of the teachings described herein and do not limit the scope of the claims.
A promotional tool in the form of a drinking glass with a barrier that allows consumers to view and smell the liquid contents of the glass, but prevents consumers from consuming the liquid contents. The fluid container has the shape and appearance of a conventional glass but has a unique conical barrier which prevents consumption of any liquid contents.
Three important aspects of initial purchase and repeat purchase of wine, spirit, and malt beverages are the product appearance, aroma and taste. When promoting such beverages, there may be instances where it is desirable to allow consumers to both view the beverage and sample its aroma, while preventing the consumer from actually tasting or consuming the beverage. Case examples where such a promotional tool is useful include states where tasting/sampling of alcoholic beverages is subject to regulatory constraints, or instances where the promotion location is not zoned/licensed for sale/consumption of alcoholic beverages.
According to one embodiment, the present apparatus provides a fluid container manufactured with a fluid barrier which prevents the beverage from escaping or being extracted, while permitting the aroma of the beverage to pass through. The interior of the fluid container manufactured with a conical barrier.
According to one embodiment, the present apparatus provides a reusable fluid container and fluid barrier set which prevents the beverage from escaping or being extracted while permitting only the aroma of the beverage to pass through. The fluid barrier being attachable and detachable from the fluid container.
According to one embodiment, the present apparatus provides a universally sized fluid barrier for drinking glasses, such as traditional long stem wine glasses, tumblers, sifters, goblets, brandy glasses, etc. The universally sized fluid barrier inserts into a glass and adhesively seals onto the glass's rim or internal or external side wall. The fluid barrier has a stepped conical shape for various glass openings which prevents the beverage from escaping or being extracted, while permitting the aroma of the beverage to pass through.
According to one embodiment, a sensory aroma glass can be sealed for a prefilled beverage product.
When a fluid container and fluid barrier are used in combination, the combination is referred hereinafter as a sensory aroma glass.
Preferably, the material used to construct the apparatus is clear so that the liquid contents can be seen at the same time as the aroma is sampled; however, this is not a requirement. The apparatus may be constructed of glass, polymers, including, but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate, aluminum, paper based material or composite material. These are few examples of materials that may be used and are not intended as an exhaustive list. Those skilled in the art will recognize other materials for construction of apparatus.
There are a variety of methods in which the apparatus may be implemented. According to one embodiment, the fluid container and fluid barrier are manufactured as separate pieces. A fluid container is fitted with a fluid barrier after the beverage product is portioned into the fluid container. For example, at the promotion location. As described above, the fluid barrier may be universally sized for any drinking glass, or come as part of a fitted fluid container/barrier set. Further, either the fluid barrier or fluid container may be reusable or disposable. According to another embodiment, a fluid container and a fluid barrier are manufactured as a single piece. For instance, the fluid container and fluid barrier may be manufactured as two pieces that are later welded or bonded together to form a single piece; a sensory aroma glass. According to this embodiment, the sensory aroma glass may be prefilled with beverage product, or the beverage product may be portioned into the sensory aroma glass on site.
A sensory aroma glass has been described. It is understood that the embodiments described herein are for the purpose of elucidation and should not be considered limiting the subject matter of the disclosure. Various modifications, uses, substitutions, combinations, improvements, methods of productions without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention would be evident to a person skilled in the art.
