Abstract:
A sanitary collection device for a beverage dispenser that provides an improved and larger collection area as compared to a cylindrical holster; and separation between the dispensing nozzle of the beverage dispenser and collection surfaces of the sanitary collection device such that the dispensing nozzle is prevented from contacting a possibly contaminated surface of the sanitary collection device. The present invention also provides for easy cleaning of the sanitary collection device and its drip cup, since the drip cup can be easily removed without the use of tools to facilitate cleaning and/or replacement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/893,213 (Attorney Docket No. 007961-009400US), filed Mar. 6, 2007, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to beverage dispensers, and more specifically to a sanitary collection device for beverage dispensers. 
         [0003]    Currently, the drainage from a beverage dispensing device, such as a bar gun either falls into a sink over which the device is positioned for that specific purpose, an ice-bin, or a collection device sometimes referred to as a bar gun holster. 
         [0004]      FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C show a known bar gun  12  (or beverage dispenser) that is placed in its holster  14 . Such a bar gun  12  and holster  14  set up is commercially available from the assignee of this patent application. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1A  depicts the general position of the dispensing nozzle  16  of the bar gun  12  as it is being inserted into the holster  14 , while being supported by the operator&#39;s hand.  FIG. 1B  depicts the at-rest (or unsupported) position of the bar gun  12  when stowed in the holster  14 . The weight of the tubing bundle (not shown) attached to the bar gun  12 , along with location of the center of gravity of the bar gun  12  relative to the holster  14 , can cause the dispensing nozzle  16  to come into direct contact with the potentially contaminated interior surface  18  of the holster  14 . The holster-based solution includes a generally cylindrical member that is configured to accept and encompass the nozzle of the bar gun, and provide a collection device for fluid discharged by the bar gun. This collection device may or may not be fitted with a drainage means, such as the drain line  20  shown. Additionally, while the collection device does provide for collection of fluid discharged from the dispensing nozzle  16  of the bar gun  12 , continued use may cause a build-up on the interior surface  18  of the holster  14  as the fluids dry. Furthermore, if not regularly attended to, the interior surface  18  of the collection device can provide a medium for the growth of bacteria and/or molds. The size of the collection device can also readily allow for contact between the dispensing nozzle  16  and the inner surface  18  of the collection device, and thus potentially contaminating the dispensing nozzle through which the next beverage is dispensed to a customer. 
         [0006]    There is therefore a need to provide a storage and drainage solution for a bar gun that does not suffer from the above shortcomings. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a sanitary collection device for a beverage dispenser that provides an improved and larger collection area as compared to a cylindrical holster; and separation between the dispensing nozzle and collection surfaces such that the nozzle is prevented from contacting a potentially contaminated surface. The present invention also provides for easy cleaning of the sanitary collection device and its drip cup, since the drip cup can be easily removed without the use of tools to facilitate cleaning and/or replacement of the drip cup, as well as other parts of the sanitary collection device. 
         [0008]    Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a sanitary collection device for fluid discharged from a beverage dispenser. The sanitary collection device can include, for example, a drip cup that is removable without the use of tools, the drip cup having a drain spout, a bottom side that channels water to the drain spout, and surrounding walls. The sanitary collection device can further include a drip cup holder adapted to be secured relative to a stowed beverage dispenser, receive and support the drip cup in a position beneath the stowed beverage dispenser, and provide separation between the drip cup and the stowed beverage dispenser. 
         [0009]    The present invention may be embodied in a number of different variations. In an exemplary variation, the drip cup holder may include a drip cup holder spout, a drip cup holder bottom side coupled with the drip cup holder spout, and surrounding drip cup holder walls coupled with the drip cup bottom side, where the drip cup holder is sized to cooperatively receive the drip cup and align the drip cup drain spout with the drip cup holder spout. 
         [0010]    In further exemplary variations, the drip cup of the present invention may further include an attachment feature adapted to interface with a mating attachment feature on the drip cup holder. For example, the attachment features may include t-shaped protrusions configured to interface with slotted recesses. Additionally, the sanitary collection device may further comprise a beverage dispenser holder and be configured to be clamped to a countertop. 
         [0011]    Additionally, certain embodiments of the present invention may further include additional items, such as a drain line, and/or a beverage dispenser holder. The drip cup holder may further include an attachment flange for coupling with a beverage dispenser holder. The attachment flange may include a channel configured to interface with a portion of a beverage dispenser holder. The attachment flange may further include one or more mounting holes for attachment fasteners. 
         [0012]    For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  shows a known bar gun positioned relative to a cylindrical holster as held during its insertion into the holster. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  shows a typical position for a known bar gun relative to a cylindrical holster after it has been released. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1C  shows a perspective view of the known bar gun and cylindrical holster of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sanitary collection device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention used in combination with a molded bar gun holder. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the sanitary collection device of  FIG. 2  in which the mounting and support means of the sanitary collection device and its drip cup is provided with a means for accepting either a straight or angled fitment to which a drainage tube may be attached. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  contains assorted views that show the holder for the drip cup of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  contains assorted views that show the drip cup of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a sanitary collection device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention used in combination with a molded bar gun holder and a drain line. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  contains assorted views that show the holder for the drip cup of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a sanitary collection device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention used in combination with a molded bar gun holder. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a sanitary collection device and molded bar gun holder of  FIG. 8 , shown mounted to the underside of a countertop. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the sanitary collection device of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  contains assorted views that show the drip cup of  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  contains assorted views that show the holder for the drip cup of  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10 , and  11 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the sanitary collection device of  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  used in combination with a wire bar gun holder. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 13  that depicts the wire bar gun holder positioned in channels provided in the top surface of the holder so the entire assembly can be flush mounted to the underside of a countertop. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a sanitary collection device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention used in combination with alternate bar gun holder, the combination being configured to be secured to a countertop by way of an attached clamping mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The invention described herein provides a sanitary collection device for use with beverage dispensers. The sanitary collection device disclosed generally provides a means by which the discharge of a beverage dispenser may be collected and drained. The disclosed sanitary collection device provides a collection area of increased size relative to existing bar gun holsters. The disclosed sanitary collection device further provides separation between collection surfaces of the sanitary collection device and the dispensing nozzle of the beverage dispenser, thereby precluding contamination of the dispensing nozzle that might occur as a result of contact with potentially contaminated surfaces. Additionally, the presently disclosed sanitary collection device incorporates a collection area in the form of a drip cup that is easily removable without the use of tools, thereby facilitating cleaning and/or replacement. The removal of the drip cup further facilitates the cleaning of the other components of the disclosed sanitary collection device. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 2-5  contain assorted views corresponding to a first embodiment of the present inventive sanitary collection device  100 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sanitary collection device  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention used in combination with a molded bar gun holder  22 . As shown, the beverage dispenser  12  is stowed in the molded bar gun holder  22 , with the beverage dispenser  12  being held stationary by way of contact with the grommet  24  disposed around the opening  26  in the molded bar gun holder  22 . As can be seen, the collection area, or drip cup  102 , of the sanitary collection device  100  is positioned relative to the dispensing nozzle  16  so as to avoid contact with the dispensing nozzle  16 , while providing an adequate catch basin for any fluid discharged from the dispensing nozzle  16 . Fluid discharged from the dispensing nozzle is collected by the sanitary collection device and drained by way of the attached angled fitment  106 , to which a drain tube (not shown) may be attached. Alternatively, the straight fitment  108  shown adjacent to the attached angled fitment  106  may be used in place of the attached angled fitment  106 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  provides an exploded perspective view of the sanitary collection device  100  in accordance the embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2  in which the mounting and support means of the sanitary collecting device is provided with a means for accepting either a straight fitment  108  or an angled fitment  106  to which a drain tube (not shown) may be attached. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the sanitary collection device  100  can include a drip cup  102 , a drip cup holder  104  and either a straight fitment  108  or an angled fitment  106 . The drip cup  102  and the drip cup holder  104  are complementarily shaped such that the drip cup  102  fits in the drip cup holder  104  and the drip cup drain spout  110  gets aligned and fits in the drip cup holder spout  112 . The drip cup  102  is shaped such that it has walls  114  that extend upwards at the periphery of the drip cup bottom side  116  and includes a drip cup drain spout  110  that extends downward from the drip cup bottom side  116 . The drip cup  102  and the drip cup holder  104  may be designed with interfacing features, such as the drip cup support lip  118  shown, which interfaces with the top surface of the drip cup holder walls  128  so as to provide stable support of the drip cup  102 . The drip cup bottom side  116  is concave and angled or pitched to drain toward the drip cup drain spout  110 . The drip cup holder  104  is dimensioned to receive the drip cup  102  and has a shape similar to that of the drip cup. The drip cup holder may be configured to enable it to be coupled with a bar gun holder. For example, the drip cup holder may be configured with an attachment portion, such as the attachment flange  120  having mounting holes  152  as shown. The attachment flange  120  may be connected with the drip cup holder bottom side  126  by way a back wall  122 . Drain tube adapters, such as the straight fitment  108  or the angled fitment  106  shown, may be coupled with the drip cup holder spout  112  by a snap and/or a friction fit and can swivel about the drain cup holder spout  112 . The sanitary collection device  100  can be made from a plastic material by a molding process. The sanitary collection device can also be made of any material that is suitable for the operating conditions. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  contains assorted views that show the drip cup holder  104  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . As shown, the drip cup holder  104  includes: a) an attachment flange  120  configured to be coupled with a bar gun holder; b) a drip cup receiving portion  124  for receiving the drip cup  102 , the drip cup receiving portion  124  including a drip cup holder bottom side  126  and peripheral drip cup holder walls  128 ; c) a downwardly extending drip cup holder spout  112  for connection with the above described angled fitment  106  or straight fitment  108 ; and d) a back wall  122  that joins the attachment flange  120  with the drip cup receiving portion  124 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  contains assorted views that show the drip cup  102  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . As shown, the drip cup  102  includes: a) a downwardly extending drip cup drain spout  110 ; b) a drip cup bottom side  116  that is generally sloped toward the drip cup drain spout  110  so as to channel collected fluid to the drip cup drain spout  110 ; c) surrounding drip cup walls  114  extending upwardly from the periphery of the drip cup bottom side  116 ; and d) a perimeter lip  118  for engagement with the top of the drip cup receiving portion  124  of the drip cup holder  104  as described above. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a sanitary collection device  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention used in combination with a molded bar gun holder  22  and a drain line  20 . The embodiment of  FIG. 6  is similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 through 5 , but incorporates a horizontally extending drip cup holder spout  212  with a correspondingly configured drip cup drain spout thereby providing for a routing of the drain line  20  beneath the countertop (not shown). Recess  213  shown in  FIG. 7  is provided as a transition between the horizontally extending drip cup holder spout  212  and the drip cup holder bottom side  226 . Additionally, recess  213  can provide space for a drip cup drain spout (not shown) that is configured to drain fluid by way of the horizontally extending drip cup holder spout  212 .  FIG. 6  further shows the molded bar gun holder opening  26  and associated grommet  24  that interfaces with the stowed beverage dispenser (not shown), as well as representative attachment fasteners  28  used to couple the sanitary collection device  200  with the molded bar gun holder  22 .  FIG. 7  contains assorted views that show the drip cup holder  204  of  FIG. 6 , which has similar features to the drip cup holder  104  of  FIGS. 2 through 5 , except for the above noted difference with regard to the drip cup holder spout  212 . Drip cup holder  204  has an attachment flange  220  with a flat interface  232  for mounting to the underside of a countertop or the like, as well as a fastener anti-rotation feature  230  to facilitate installation. Drip cup holder  204  may also include reinforcing gussets adapted to strengthen and/or stiffen portions of drip cup holder  204  as may be appropriate, such as the reinforcing gussets  233  shown. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a sanitary collection device  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention used in combination with a molded bar gun holder  22  and associated grommet  24 . In this embodiment, the drain line (not shown) is connected directly to the drip cup  302  instead of to the drip cup holder  304  as in the embodiments of  FIGS. 2 through 7 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , an alternative interface between the drip cup  302  and the drip cup holder  304  is provided. As can be best seen in  FIGS. 9 through 12 , the drip cup  302  in this embodiment has t-shaped protrusions  334  that interlock with slotted keyways  336  located in the drip cup holder  304 . As a result, the t-shaped protrusions  334  of the drip cup  302  can fit into the slotted keyways  336  of the drip cup holder  304  thereby providing a means to demountably couple the drip cup  302  with the drip cup holder  304 . The drip cup  302  is shaped such that it has walls  314  that extend upwards at the periphery of the drip cup bottom side  316  and includes a drip cup drain spout  310  that extends downward from the drip cup bottom side  316 . The drip cup bottom side  316  is concave and angled or pitched to drain fluid toward the drip cup drain spout. The drip cup and the drip cup holder include complementarily-shaped portions that fit against one-another. For example, the drip cup back portion  338  is straight and so can fit against the vertical flat wall  322  of the drip cup holder. The drip cup holder may further include reinforcing gussets  340  between the attachment flange  320  and the vertical flat wall  322  to strengthen and/or stiffen the drip cup holder  304 , as may be desirable in part in view of the localized forces that may be present at the interfacing portions of the drip cup and the drip cup holder. 
         [0037]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the sanitary collection device  300  of  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  used in combination with a wire bar gun holder  30  and associated grommet  24 . As can be best seen in  FIGS. 12 and 14 , this embodiment includes channels  342  in the attachment flange  320  configured to interface with the wire frame  32  of the wire bar gun holder  30 . As can be seen in  FIG. 12 , the ends of channels  342  are provided with thin sections  344  that normally prohibit the accumulation of debris in the channels  342  when the sanitary collection device  300  is used with a molded bar gun holder  22 . When the wire bar gun holder  30  is used, the thin sections  344  can be removed to provide for the extension of the wire frame  32  beyond the attachment flange  320 , as best shown in  FIG. 14 , where the extended portion of the wire frame  32  is mated with an interface plate  346 . The combination of the interface plate  346  and the protruding bosses  348  on the attachment flange  320  provide a planar interface for mounting with the underside of a countertop (not shown). 
         [0038]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the attachment flange  220  of the drip cup holder  204  may include mounting holes  252  for attachment fasteners  28  to secure the drip cup holder  204  to the underside of the countertop and/or bar gun holders. As an alternative to the use of attachment fasteners,  FIG. 15  shows an alternative embodiment that is configured to be secured to a countertop by way of an attached clamping mechanism  450 , thereby allowing the combination bar gun holder and sanitary collection device  400  to be easily relocated to a different location without the need to relocate mounting fasteners. Additionally, this embodiment allows the avoidance of the creation of associated mounting holes in the countertop. 
         [0039]    As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. These other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.