Abstract:
A beverage stirring device comprising:
       a frame for supporting the beverage stirring device relative to a work surface, the frame comprising a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the work surface;   a motor comprising a housing and a drive shaft rotatable relative to the housing, the drive shaft being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame;   a weight eccentrically mounted to the drive shaft;   at least one spring for movably mounting the housing of the motor to the frame; and   a container-receiving surface connected to the housing of the motor for receiving a beverage container, the container-receiving surface extending substantially parallel to the work surface and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame,   whereby operation of the motor imparts a gyrating motion to a beverage container seated on the container-receiving surface, so as to stir a beverage contained in the beverage container.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/067,916, filed Mar. 3, 2008 by A. Marc Gillinov et al. for COFFEE STIRRING DEVICE (Attorney&#39;s Docket No. 31827-Pending), which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to stirring devices in general, and more particularly to devices for stirring additives into a beverage, such as stirring milk and/or sugar into coffee. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are many food-serving establishments (e.g., restaurants, coffee shops, donut shops, fast food restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, etc.) that offer a wide variety of beverages to their customers. Many of these beverages, particularly coffee and tea, are often enjoyed with the addition of various beverage additives. 
         [0004]    More particularly, it is quite common for customers to add various beverage additives to their beverage after receiving the beverage and before consuming it. By way of example but not limitation, in the case of coffee, it is common for a customer to add cream, milk, a non-dairy creamer, sugar or a sugar substitute, and/or other desired items to their coffee before consuming the coffee. Traditionally, the customers have manually mixed such beverage additives into their beverage themselves, e.g., by using a spoon, disposable stirrer and/or other appropriate mixing utensil that is placed inside the beverage container and then stirred in a generally circular motion so as to thoroughly mix and disperse the beverage additives throughout the beverage. 
         [0005]    Many take-out establishments provide their customers with disposable spoons or, more commonly, disposable stirrers (e.g., plastic or wooden stir sticks), in order to eliminate the need to wash every spoon or other stirring utensil after each use. Typically, these disposable stirrers are stored in a box or similar container with a large number of other stirrers. With these stirrers all contained in the same box, the customer must reach into the box and remove their stirrer, which can easily lead to contamination of the remaining stirrers. More particularly, if a customer has dirty hands or a cold or other illness, they may touch (and thus potentially contaminate) adjacent stirrers as they remove their own stirrer from the box of stirrers. 
         [0006]    In addition, the use of a large number of disposable stirrers can be uneconomical as well as environmentally undesirable. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, the use of disposable stirrers and/or other mixing utensils frequently results in a “messy” mixing area, e.g., as the disposable stirrers are transferred to the trash after stirring, etc. In a busy establishment, the mixing area must be continuously cleaned up in order to avoid a dirty and unclean appearance. Thus, the use of disposable stirrers and/or other mixing utensils generally contributes to the “mess factor” which must be addressed by the establishment. 
         [0008]    Therefore, a substantial need exists for a new and improved beverage stirring device that can thoroughly and automatically mix the desired beverage additives into the beverage while the beverage is contained in a standard drinking container (such as a coffee cup, travel mug, and the like) without requiring any manual mixing or the placement of mixing utensils into the beverage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The aforementioned need is met by the provision and use of a novel beverage stirring device which is designed to automatically mix the desired beverage additives into the beverage while the beverage is contained in a standard drinking container and without requiring any manual mixing or the placement of mixing utensils into the beverage. As a result, the aforementioned issues of contamination, cost, environmental concerns and “mess factor” associated with disposable utensils and disposable stirrers are eliminated. 
         [0010]    In one preferred form of the invention, there is provided a novel beverage stirring device comprising: 
         [0011]    a frame for supporting the beverage stirring device relative to a work surface, the frame comprising a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the work surface; 
         [0012]    a motor comprising a housing and a drive shaft rotatable relative to the housing, the drive shaft being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame; 
         [0013]    a weight eccentrically mounted to the drive shaft; 
         [0014]    at least one spring for movably mounting the housing of the motor to the frame; and 
         [0015]    a container-receiving surface connected to the housing of the motor for receiving a beverage container, the container-receiving surface extending substantially parallel to the work surface and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame, 
         [0016]    whereby operation of the motor imparts a gyrating motion to a beverage container seated on the container-receiving surface, so as to stir a beverage contained in the beverage container. 
         [0017]    In another form of the invention, there is provided a method for stirring additives into a beverage, the method comprising: 
         [0018]    providing a beverage stirring device comprising:
       a frame for supporting the beverage stirring device relative to a work surface, the frame comprising a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the work surface;   a motor comprising a housing and a drive shaft rotatable relative to the housing, the drive shaft being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame;   a weight eccentrically mounted to the drive shaft;   at least one spring for moveably mounting the housing of the motor to the frame; and   a container-receiving surface connected to the housing of the motor for receiving a beverage container, the container-receiving surface extending substantially parallel to the work surface and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame;       
 
         [0024]    placing the beverage container on the container-receiving surface; and 
         [0025]    energizing the motor so as to cause the weight to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft, thereby imparting a gyrating motion to the beverage container seated on the container-receiving surface, so as to stir a beverage contained in the beverage container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a beverage stirring device formed in accordance with the present invention, wherein the beverage stirring device is mounted in a counter; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the beverage stirring device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the beverage stirring device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic view of a typical beverage container which may be used in conjunction with the beverage stirring device of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are schematic views, in section, of the beverage stirring device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are schematic views of the beverage stirring device shown in  FIG. 1 , with the plastic casing of the beverage stirring device having been removed; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 8-10  are schematic views showing how the beverage stirring device of  FIG. 1  may be mounted in a counter; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view showing a beverage container (e.g., a cup) being placed on the beverage stirring device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0035]      FIGS. 12 and 13  are schematic views showing a switch for automatically activating on the beverage stirring device when a beverage container is positioned on the beverage stirring device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    Looking first at  FIGS. 1-5 , there is shown a beverage stirring device  5  formed in accordance with the present invention. Beverage stirring device  5  preferably comprises a substantially closed, self-contained unit which is intended to be mounted into a counter  10  so that the top of the beverage stirring device is substantially flush with the top surface of counter  10 . Beverage stirring device  5  is intended to receive a standard beverage container (e.g., a coffee cup, a travel mug, etc.) and automatically mix the contents thereof (e.g., the beverage and beverage additives) without requiring any manual mixing or the placement of mixing utensils into the beverage, as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail. In one preferred form of the invention, and looking now at  FIG. 3A , beverage stirring device  5  is intended to be used with a standard beverage container (e.g., cup)  120  of the type which comprises a bottom rim  122  which protrudes beyond the floor  123  of the beverage container. 
         [0037]    Looking next at  FIGS. 4-7 , beverage stirring device  5  preferably comprises an annular ring  15  which is intended to be mounted to counter  10 , about an opening  20  formed in counter  10 , as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail. Annular ring  15  comprises a longitudinal axis  18 . Annular ring  15  serves to secure the remainder of beverage stirring device  5  to counter  10 . A plurality of vibration brackets  25  are secured to annular ring  15  and descend downwardly therefrom. Preferably three vibration brackets  25  are provided, spaced equidistantly about the circumference of annular ring  15  (i.e., the three vibration brackets  25  are spaced 120 degrees apart). 
         [0038]    Beverage stirring device  5  also comprises a motor  30  comprising a housing  32  and a drive shaft  60 . Motor  30  is captured between an upper end plate  35  and a lower end plate  40  by a plurality of bolts  45 . Springs  50  movably connect upper end plate  35  to vibration brackets  25 , with motor  30  being disposed so that its drive shaft  60  is substantially co-axial with annular ring  15  (i.e., so that its drive shaft  60  is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis  18  of annular ring  15 ). Motor  30  has a weight  55  eccentrically mounted to its drive shaft  60 . 
         [0039]    As a result of this construction, when motor  30  is energized, eccentric weight  55  is spun rapidly about the axis of drive shaft  60 , causing motor  30 , upper end plate  35  and lower end plate  40  to gyrate at high speed, on springs  50 , about longitudinal axis  18 . By appropriately choosing the various system components (e.g., speed of the motor, mass of eccentric weight  55 , the spring constant of springs  50 , etc.), motor  30 , upper end plate  35  and lower end plate  40  can be made to gyrate at high speed, in a high frequency vibratory fashion, about longitudinal axis  18  of annular ring  15 . 
         [0040]    An activation element  65  is attached to upper end plate  35  so that the gyrating motion of upper end plate  35  is transferred to activation element  65 . Activation element  65  preferably comprises an annular base  70  having an island  75  rising therefrom, whereby to receive the bottom of beverage container  120 , as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail. Activation element  65  is preferably attached to upper end plate  35  via male and female annular rings, e.g., a male ring  80  extending upwardly from upper end plate  35  and a female annular ring  85  extending downwardly from annular base  70  of activation element  65 . Male ring  80  and female ring  85  preferably make a friction fit with one another so as to transfer motion from upper end plate  35  to activation element  65 . An elastomer  90  connects annular base  70  of activation element  65  to a ring frame  95 . 
         [0041]    Preferably, activation element  65 , elastomer  90  and ring frame  95  together completely close off opening  20  formed in counter  10 , with activation element  65 , elastomer  90  and ring frame  95  preferably joining one another in watertight seals. Thus, any liquids and/or granules and powders spilled on activation element  65 , elastomer  90 , ring frame  95  and/or counter  10  can be quickly and easily cleaned up. 
         [0042]    A plastic casing  100  is preferably secured to vibration brackets  25  via screws  105 . The top end of plastic casing  100  preferably mates with the underside of ring frame  95  so as to completely enclose the working elements of beverage stirring device  5 . Plastic casing  100  has an opening (not shown) for permitting an electric power line to be connected to motor  30 , whereby to selectively energize the motor. 
         [0043]    Looking next at  FIGS. 8-10 , beverage stirring device  5  is intended to be mounted to counter  10  by passing plastic casing  100  through opening  20  in counter  10  until annular ring  15  seats in a counterbore  110  formed about the perimeter of opening  20 . Then annular ring  15  is secured to counter  10  with screws  115 . Then activation element  65 , elastomer  90  and ring frame  95  are set over upper end plate  35  (see  FIGS. 1 and 10 ). 
         [0044]    In use, and looking now at  FIG. 11 , cup  120 , containing both a beverage and the beverage additive which is to be mixed therein, is placed on activation element  65  so that the protruding rim  122  of the cup co-axially overlies island  75  and seats on annular base  70 . The upraised floor  123  of the cup may or may not contact the top of island  75 . At this point motor  30  is activated, causing eccentric weight  55  to slowly spin about the axis of drive shaft  60 . This action in turn causes motor  30 , upper end plate  35  and lower end plate  40  to gyrate at high speed, on springs  50 , about longitudinal axis  18  of annular ring  15 , in a high frequency vibratory fashion. This high speed gyrating, high frequency vibratory motion is transferred to activation element  65 , and in turn to cup  120  and its contents, whereby to agitate the contents of the cup and thereby mix the beverage additives into the beverage. Significantly, this agitation is effected using the aforementioned high speed gyrating, high frequency vibratory motion, so that the contents of the cup remain safely within the cup, without any spillage, while mixing the contents of the cup thoroughly from top to bottom. And significantly, this mixing action takes place without any manual mixing or requiring the placement of mixing utensils into the beverage. 
         [0045]    Thus it will be seen that use of beverage stirring device  5  eliminates the aforementioned issues of contamination, cost, environmental concerns and “mess factor”. 
         [0046]    In one form of the invention, motor  30  may be activated with a conventional hand-operated or foot-operated switch interposed in the electric power line between beverage stirring device  5  and a wall plug. 
         [0047]    However, in another form of the invention, and looking now at  FIGS. 12 and 13 , an infrared (IR) switch  125  and a window  130  (for emitting the beam of IR switch  125  and receiving back the reflected beam of IR switch  125 ) are provided in order to activate motor  30  automatically upon seating of cup  120  on activation element  65 . Thus, with this form of the invention, the customer simply places cup  120  on activation element  65 , and IR switch  125  automatically starts motor  30 . When cup  120  is removed, IR switch  125  automatically stops motor  30 . 
         [0048]    Alternatively, IR switch  125  can be replaced with an ultrasound-based switch  125 , whereby to detect the presence of a cup  120  on activation element  65 . 
         [0049]    In the foregoing description, activation element  65  is depicted as a raised island  75  surrounded by an annular base  70 . This construction can be preferred, since it provides an excellent seat for a cup  120  of the type shown in  FIG. 3A , i.e., a cup having a protruding bottom rim  122  with a raised floor  123 , which mates with annular base  70  (and, in some cases, raised island  75 ). However, in some circumstances, it may be desirable to use beverage stirring device  5  with a cup having a flat bottom, or with cups having various other geometries which might not mate perfectly with annular base  70  and/or raised island  75 . In this case, activation element  65  may comprise a recess, allowing the beverage container to be seated into the recess. 
         [0050]    Furthermore, in the foregoing description, beverage stirring device  5  is shown mounted within counterbore  120  of counter  10 . However, it should also be appreciated that beverage stirring device  5  could sit on top of a counter or table. By way of example but not limitation, a housing could be used to support annular ring  15  (and the remainder of the device) above the surface of a counter or table, with the housing having feet for disposition on the surface of the counter or table. 
         [0051]    Thus it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved beverage stirring device that can thoroughly and automatically mix the desired beverage additives into the beverage while the beverage is contained in a standard drinking container (such as a coffee cup, travel mug, and the like) without requiring any manual mixing or the placement of mixing utensils into the beverage. 
       MODIFICATIONS 
       [0052]    It will be appreciated that still further embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular constructions and method steps herein disclosed and/or shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the invention.