Abstract:
A portable frozen beverage dispenser includes a frozen beverage receiving container and a piston mounted within the container for pressurizing a frozen beverage received therein. The piston is actuated either pneumatically or mechanically. The frozen beverage receiving container and the frozen beverage contained therein are received and transported in an insulated backpack.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to the dispensing of frozen beverages, and more particularly to a portable frozen beverage dispenser which is particularly useful at concerts, sports events, and other large gatherings. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Frozen beverages are widely enjoyed by persons of all ages. As is well known, frozen beverages are not actually frozen, but instead comprise mixtures of crushed or shaved ice and a flavor-containing liquid. Non-alcoholic frozen beverages are dispensed at convenience stores and similar outlets with flavorings such as strawberry, lemon-lime, root beer, cola, etc. Frozen margaritas and similar alcohol containing frozen beverages are enjoyed by adults at bars and restaurants. 
     Frozen beverages are prepared in machines adapted to first mix the crushed or shaved ice and the flavor containing liquid and thereafter to prevent the flavor containing liquid from separating from the crushed or shaved ice. The machine further includes apparatus for dispensing the frozen beverage contained therein directly into a serving container such as a plastic cup, etc. The dispensing of frozen beverages directly from the mixing machine is satisfactory in the case of convenience stores and similar outlets, bars, restaurants, etc., where the rate of beverage consumption per unit of time is relatively small. However, in the case of concerts, sports events and other large gatherings, attempts to dispense frozen beverages from mixing machines result in long lines which in turn result in irritation on the part of beverage customers. 
     The foregoing problem can be remedied by providing a portable frozen beverage dispenser. In this manner frozen beverages can be served to customers without requiring the customers to go to the location of frozen beverage dispensing machines. However, prior to the present invention, attempts at providing a satisfactory portable frozen beverage dispenser have been unsuccessful. 
     For example, one attempt at providing the portable frozen beverage dispenser involved receiving the frozen beverage in a container, then attempting to dispense the frozen beverage from the bottom of the container under the action of gravity. Such a device does not operate satisfactorily because the flavor containing liquid drains from the ice leaving a flavorless clump of crushed or shaved ice in the bottom of the container. Another unsuccessful attempt involved locating an inflatable balloon within the frozen beverage receiving container in an attempt to force the frozen beverage therefrom under pressure. 
     The present invention comprises a portable frozen beverage dispenser which overcomes the foregoing and other difficulties which have long since characterized the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, a frozen beverage is received in the lower portion of a container and a piston is received in the upper portion of the container above the frozen beverage. Pressure is applied to the piston to force the frozen beverage out of the container without causing separation of the flavor containing liquid from the crushed or shaved ice. In this manner frozen beverages are dispensed from the portable frozen beverage dispenser of the present invention at the same quality level which characterizes the dispensing of frozen beverages directly from frozen beverage mixing machines. 
     In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, pressure is applied to the piston which forces the frozen beverage out of the container either pneumatically or mechanically. The container may be filled with the frozen beverage to be dispensed by removing the piston from the container, filling the container with the frozen beverage to be dispensed, then reinstalling the piston. Alternatively, the frozen beverage dispenser of the present invention may be provided with apparatus for receiving the frozen beverage to be dispensed directly from a frozen beverage mixing machine. 
     In use, the portable frozen beverage dispenser of the present invention is received in an insulated backpack. In this manner, the portable frozen beverage dispenser is easily transported to the attendees at concerts, sports events, and other large gatherings. This in turn facilitates the dispensing of frozen beverages directly to customers wishing to purchase the beverages without requiring the customers to visit the location of the frozen beverage mixing machines. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a portable frozen beverage dispenser comprising the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of the portable frozen beverage dispenser of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating an early step in the filling of the portable frozen beverage dispenser with a frozen beverage to be dispensed; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating a subsequent step in the filling procedure; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating various alternative constructions which may be utilized in the practice of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 further illustrating the various alternative constructions thereof; 
     FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the use of the portable frozen beverage dispenser of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating an insulated backpack useful in the practice of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the insulated backpack of FIG. 8; and 
     FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the lid of the insulated backpack opened to provide access to the contents thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a portable frozen beverage dispenser  20  comprising the preferred embodiment of the invention. The dispenser  20  includes a container  22  adapted to receive a frozen beverage  24  therein. The container  22  is preferably formed from stainless steel, however, other materials particularly including plastic materials may be utilized in the construction of the container  22  depending upon the requirements of particular applications of the invention. 
     The container  22  is provided with a lid  26 . The lid  26  is secured on top of the container  22  by a plurality of fasteners  28 . The fasteners  28  preferably comprise toggle-type fasteners as shown, however, other types and kinds of fasteners may be utilized in the practice of the invention, if desired. 
     The lid  26  is provided with an O-ring  30 . The O-ring  30  engages the interior of the container  22  to form a pressure tight seal there between. A passageway  32  extends through the lid  26  and communicates with the interior of the container  22 . The passageway  32  extends to a hollow fitting  34 . 
     The portable frozen beverage dispenser  20  further includes a pressure vessel  40  which is filled with a compressed gas. A valve  42  directs compressed gas from the pressure vessel  40  to a regulator  44 . The regulator  44  directs compressed gas at a predetermined pressure which is typically substantially lower than the pressure within the pressure vessel  40  to a hose  46  which is connected to the fitting  34  by a quick disconnect coupling  48 . It will therefore be understood that the valve  42 , the regulator  44 , the hose  46 , the coupling  48 , the hollow fitting  34 , and the passageway  32  function to direct compressed gas from the pressure vessel  40  into the upper portion of the container  22 . 
     A piston  52  is positioned in the container  22  above the frozen beverage received therein and below the lid  26 . The piston  52  is provided with a seal  54  which is retained by a plate  56  and a fastener  58 . Upon actuation of the valve  42 , compressed gas from the pressure vessel  40  imposes a downwardly directed force on the piston  52  thereby exerting pressure on the frozen beverage  24  within the container  22 . 
     The lower portion of the container  22  is provided with an outlet  62 . A hollow fitting  64  is connected to the outlet  62  and a hose  66  is in turn connected to the fitting  64 . The hose  66  extends to a normally closed dispensing valve  68  which is actuated by a lever  70 . Upon actuation of the lever  70 , the frozen beverage  24  is discharged from the container  22  through the outlet  62 , the fitting  64 , the hose  66 , the valve  68  under the action of pressure imposed thereon by the piston  52  which is in turn actuated by gas from the pressure vessel  40  which enters the portion of the container  22  above piston  52  through the valve  42 , the regulator  44 , the hose  46 , the coupling  48 , the hollow fitting  34 , and the passageway  32 . 
     The dispensing of the frozen beverage  24  from the container  22  is further illustrated in FIG.  2 . As the frozen beverage  24  is dispensed into serving containers such as the container  72 , the level of the frozen beverage  24  within the container  22  drops. However, the pressure imposed on the piston  52  by the gas from the pressure vessel  40  remains constant under the action of the regulator  44 . Thus, the dispensing of the frozen beverage  24  through the valve  68  remains constant until substantially all of the frozen beverage has been discharged. 
     The filling of the container  22  of the frozen beverage is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. First, the valve  42  is closed and the quick disconnect coupling  48  is removed from the fitting  34 , thereby releasing pressure from within the interior of the container  22 . The fasteners  28  are released and the lid  26  is removed from the top of the container  22 . 
     The quick disconnect coupling  48  is engaged with the fitting  64  and the valve  42  is re-opened. Pressurized gas from the pressure vessel  40  flows through the valve  42 , the regulator  44 , the hose  46 , the quick disconnect coupling  48 , the fitting  64 , and the outlet  62  into the bottom of the container  22 . Pressure is thereby imposed on the bottom of the piston  52  which drives the piston  52  upwardly and out of the container  22 . The container  22  is then filled with a frozen beverage from a hose  74  extending from a frozen beverage mixing machine. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate several options which may be utilized in conjunction with the portable frozen beverage dispenser  20  illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, inclusive, and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. The container  22  may be provided with a fitting  80  having a normally closed valve  82 . The fitting  80  is adapted for connection to a hose comprising an outlet from a frozen beverage mixing machine. Thus, the fitting  80  facilitates refilling of the container  22  with a frozen beverage to be dispensed therefrom without requiring the removal of the lid  26  and the piston  52 . 
     When the fitting  80  is used to effect refilling of the container  22 , the piston  52  is preferably provided with a seal  84  which is secured on the bottom side of the piston  52  by a plate  86  and a suitable fastener  88 . The seal  84  prevents the frozen beverage  24  from seeping part the piston  52  as the container  22  is refilled. 
     When the fitting  80  is used to refill the container  22  with the frozen beverage  24 , the piston  52  may be provided with a stop  92 . The stop  92  is variably positionable on the piston  52  and serves to limit upward movement of the piston  52  as the container  22  is refilled. In this manner, the amount of frozen beverage  24  which is added to the container through the fitting  80  may be controlled. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 also illustrate a mechanical apparatus  94  which may be used in lieu of the pressurized gas from the pressure vessel  40  to impose a downwardly directed force on the piston  52 . The particular mechanical apparatus  94  illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 comprises a lead screw  96  which is threadedly engaged with the piston  52 . The lead screw  96  extends through the lid  26  and is provided with an actuation handle  98 . Upon rotation of the lever  98 , a downwardly directed force is imposed on the piston  52  which in turn imposes pressure on the frozen beverage  24  within the container  22 . By this means, the frozen beverage is discharged through the valve  68  upon actuation of the lever  70 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that mechanical devices  94  other than the lead screw  96  may be utilized to impose a downwardly directed force on the piston  52 . In particular, a rachet-type mechanism similar to our automobile jack may be utilized to impose a downwardly directed force on the piston  52 . 
     Those skilled in the art will also understand that it is not necessary to use all of the components illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 simultaneously, and that the components shown therein can be selectively employed in the portable frozen beverage dispenser  20  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, a mechanical device such as a lead screw or a jack can be used to actuate a piston  52  of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in lieu of pressurized gas. In such an event, the mechanical piston actuating device is removed with the lid  26  to effect refilling of the container  22 . 
     Conversely, the fitting  80  and a piston  52  of the type shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be used in conjunction with the portable frozen beverage dispenser of FIGS. 1 and 2, in which event the piston is actuated by pressurized gas instead of the mechanical device of FIGS. 5 and 6. The use of the stop  92  is entirely optional, and the use thereof can be omitted depending upon the requirements of particular applications of the invention. 
     The use of the portable frozen beverage dispenser  20  of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7 The portable frozen beverage dispenser  20  preferably includes an insulated backpack  100  which is carried by a vendor V. The hose  66  extends out of the insulated backpack  100  and downwardly along the arm of the vendor V for actuation by one hand while the other hand holds a container for receiving the frozen beverage container from the container  22  which is discharged through the valve  68  upon actuation of,the lever  70 . In most applications of the invention, the vendor V would receive payment for the frozen beverage simultaneously with the dispensing thereof. 
     The use of the present invention allows the vendor V to pass through the attendees at a large gathering such as concerts, athletic events, etc. The vendor V dispenses frozen beverages to those persons among the attendees wishing to make such a purchase until the entire contents of the container  22  has been dispensed. At this point, the vendor V returns to the frozen beverage mixing machine to refill the container  22 . In this manner the necessity of individual attendees traveling to the frozen beverage mixing machine to purchase a frozen beverage is eliminated. 
     The insulated backpack  100  is further illustrated in FIGS. 8,  9 , and  10 . The insulated backpack  100  comprises an outer layer  102  formed from a tough, damage resistant fabric such as nylon. The insulated backpack  100  further comprises an inner layer  104  formed from an insulating material such as plastic foam. The backpack  100  is provided with shoulder straps  106  adapted to receive the shoulders of a vendor that will dispense a frozen beverage utilizing the portable frozen beverage dispenser  20  of the present invention. The backpack  100  may also be provided with a lifting handle  108 . Access to the interior of the insulated backpack  100  is provided through a lid  110  which is pivotally supported. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawing and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.