Method and apparatus for cooling and flavoring a beverage

A device for cooling and flavoring a beverage having an elongated tube with an open first end and an open second end that has a lowered portion is provided. A cap is removably received within the second end and connected to a plunger. The plunger has an elongated shaft that terminates in a tip. The cap has an outward extension that is received in the lowered portion of the elongated tube when the device is in an open position. In the open position the tip extends beyond the open first end allowing liquid to pass through the open first end. In a closed position, the outward extension is not received within the lowered portion and the tip seals the first end of the elongated tube.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices for cooling beverages and forming ice and more particularly to a method and device that not only forms ice, but that can also be placed in a beverage container.

Devices forming ice and cooling beverages are well known in the art but what is desired is a device that will do both. With devices that form ice for placement in a beverage, as the ice melts the beverage is diluted affecting the taste. Devices for cooling a beverage either are not formed for use with many bottled beverages or contain chemicals which could be harmful if leaked. Further, these devices do not permit for adding flavor to a beverage or mixing multiple liquids. Thus, a need exists in the art for a device and method that address these deficiencies.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a method and device that more efficiently cools a beverage.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and device that forms ice for use with bottled beverages.

A still further objective is to provide a device and method that provides easy transport of liquid for mixing.

These and other objectives will be apparent to one of ordinary skill I the art based upon the following written description, drawings, and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device for cooling and flavoring a beverage having an elongated tube with an open first end and an open second end that has a lowered portion is provided. A cap is removably received within the second end and connected to a plunger. The plunger has an elongated shaft that terminates in a tip. The cap has an outward extension that is received in the lowered portion of the elongated tube when the device is in an open position. In the open position the tip extends beyond the open first end allowing liquid to pass through the open first end. In a closed position, the outward extension is not received within the lowered portion and the tip seals the first end of the elongated tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, the cooling device10includes a hollow elongated tube12having a first end14and a second end18. In one arrangement the first end14and has an opening16at the second end18. The tube12is of any shape and in one embodiment the first end14is tapered such that the tube12looks like a bullet. Adjacent second end18, on the outer surface20of tube12are threads22.

Removably attached to end18of tube12is a cap24. The cap24has an end wall26and a side wall28that form a hollow chamber30. On the inner surface32of the side wall28are threads34that are matingly received by threads22. While, as an example, the cap24is threadably mated to the tube, alternatively the cap24is attached to the tube14in any conventional manner such as a snap fit, by friction, or the like. Preferably, the cap24has a diameter of 0.69 inches and the tube12has a diameter of 0.54 inches, such that the device10will fit within the opening of a beverage container.

In an alternative embodiment, the end wall26tapers downwardly from an outer edge38to a central opening40to form a funnel shape. Attached to an outer surface42of the cap24is a lid44having a pliable strap46that is connected to and extends outwardly from the outer surface42of the cap24. A head portion48is attached to the strap46and a plug50extends outwardly from the head portion48. Preferably, the head portion48is shaped as a partial sphere and has a diameter that engages the outer edge38of the cap24when flipped to a closed position. Also, the plug50is positioned such that it is received within central opening40when in a closed position.

In one arrangement, the opening40of the cap24is arcuate and positioned adjacent the outer edge of the cap. In this embodiment, the plug50is also arcuate in shape and sized to be received within the opening40

Positioned between the first end14and the second end18of the tube12is at least one, and preferably a plurality of openings52. Preferred is that the openings52are in elongated alignment along the length of the tube12. Attached to the inner surface32of the sidewall28of the cap24is a closing strip54. The closing strip54extends from the cap24into the tube12and is positioned to selectively cover and uncover the openings52as the cap24is rotated from one position to another position. To assist in turning the cap24, a plurality of gripping protrusions or depressions56extend outwardly from the tube12adjacent the second end18. The gripping protrusions56, as shown inFIG. 2, are located along side openings52and along closing strip54. In another arrangement, as shown inFIG. 1, the gripping protrusions or depression56are located along the side opening52and not the closing strip54.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first end14and the second end18of the hollow elongated tube12have openings16. The second end18of the elongated tube12has a sidewall62that is thicker than the rest of the elongated tube12and has a slightly larger diameter. The second end18has a top edge64with a lowered portion66. The lowered portion66extends downward from the top edge64towards the first end14and is arcuate in shape. Below the lowered portion66is one or more openings68in the sidewall62.

A plunger70having an elongated shaft72is received within the elongated tube12. The elongated shaft72has a head74, a first portion76, a second portion78, and a tip80formed to seal the opening16in the second end18of the elongated tube12.

The first portion76extends between the head74and a first cylindrical end82of the second portion78. In one embodiment, the first portion76has a criss-cross structure to provide rigidity to the elongated shaft72while taking up a minimal amount of space. The second portion78has a flat portion83positioned between the first cylindrical end82and a second cylindrical end84. The flat portion83acts as a vent to allow liquid to more easily flow from the second end18.

The tip80is connected to and extends downward from the second cylindrical end84. The tip80has a tapered wall86that extends to a rounded point86. The tip80is sized and shaped to engage an interior wall88of the elongated tube12when the cooling device10is in a closed position. In one embodiment, the tip80is made of rubber or other suitable material to provide for a tighter seal.

The cap24is removably attached to the plunger70. In one embodiment, the cap24is threadably connected to the head74of the plunger70by an opening90in a bottom92of the cap24. In other arrangements, the cap24is connected to the head74by snap fit, frictional engagement, or the like.

The sidewall28of the cap24has an outward extension94formed to be selectively received by the lowered portion66of the top edge64of the elongated tube12. In one arrangement, the outward extension94is arcuate in shape. Below the outward extension94is at least one opening95. When the outward extension94is received by the lowered portion66of the elongated tube12, a lower edge96of the outward extension94engages the top edge64of the lowered portion66and the openings95of the cap24align with the openings68in the elongated tube12to allow air to enter the top of the elongated tube12.

In operation, the plunger70is attached to the cap24and inserted through the second end18of the elongated tube12. The cap24is turned to a closed position so that the outward extension94of the cap24is positioned outside of the lowered portion66of the elongated tube12. In this way the tip80of the plunger70is positioned within the opening16of the first end14thereby sealing the first end. The tip80engages the interior wall88of the elongated tube12preventing liquid from exiting.

Next, liquid, such as water, flavored water, flavoring, or an alcoholic beverage is poured into the opening40in the cap24to fill the elongated tube12. When filled, the lid44is positioned onto the cap24so that the plug50seals the opening40of the cap24.

To form ice and/or to cool a beverage, the device10is placed in a refrigerated space until the liquid freezes or is cooled. Once frozen or cooled, the device10is inserted through the opening58of the beverage container.

To release liquid through the opening16in the first end14of the elongated tube12, the cap24is turned and pressed downward to an open position. In the open position the outward extension94is received within the lowered portion66of the elongated tube66so that the lower edge96of the outward extension94engages the top edge64of the lowered portion66. In this position the plunger70extends further through the elongated tube12such that the tip80moves outside of the elongated tube12and liquid is able to pass by the flat portion83of the plunger70and into the beverage container60.

Thus a device and method have been disclosed that at the very least meets the stated objectives.