Bottled beverage dispenser

A beverage dispenser, for mating with a bottle containing liquid contents and having a top, a mouth at the top, a bottom, and an upper portion. The dispenser includes a base having side walls, a top, and cradle and intermediate plates extending horizontally through the side walls. A pipe has an inlet end centrally located above the intermediate plate and having internal threading for accommodating and securing to the mouth of the bottle, and an outlet end extending horizontally from the base and having a spout. The cradle plate has a central opening which is substantially concentric with the inlet end and supports the bottle at its upper portion. The beverage dispenser is inverted to fasten the mouth of the bottle to the inlet end, and then is turned ‘right-side-up’ to invert the bottle, and allow the contents of the bottle to be easily dispensed through the spout.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a bottled beverage dispenser. In particular, the invention is a beverage dispenser that is mated with an inverted bottle containing a beverage, to allow  the beverage to be subsequently dispensed without actually handling the bottle.

Many beverages, particularly sodas and other soft drinks, are sold in plastic bottles. The bottles are typically available in different sizes—the most popular being 2 liters. Because of the weight of these bottles, they are difficult for a child to maneuver. Spills often occur when a child tries to pour the contents from the bottle into a glass.

Even adults routinely encounter difficulty when attempting to pour a standard 2 liter soda bottle. Because of the diameter of the bottle, only the largest among us can ‘palm’ the bottle and pour it with one hand. Accordingly, pouring such bottles is typically a two-handed operation—especially when the bottle is nearly full. Such a two handed pour can be carried out without incident when pouring into a heavy container, such as a drinking glass. However, when one attempts to pour into an empty, lightweight paper or plastic drinking cup, there is a significant possibility that the weight of incoming stream of poured liquid will tip the cup. Further, when outdoors, often the wind will tip the cup or even carry it away before the poured beverage can properly ballast the cup. An adult is more likely to be embarrassed  than a child when they create a spill while attempting to pour a beverage—and rightfully so!

Thus, there exists a need for a dispenser which is configured to accommodate a bottle containing a beverage, and allowing the same to be dispensed without handling the bottle, by a one handed operation that is simple enough for a child.

Over the years, others have proposed handles and various other pouring devices which seek to reduce spill messes. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved beverage dispenser. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved bottled beverage dispenser which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is an object of the invention to eliminate the need for a person to handle a beverage bottle in order to dispense the beverage. Accordingly, the dispenser of the present invention mates with the existing, externally threaded mouth of an inverted beverage bottle, and subsequently allows the beverage contained therein to be dispensed through an easily operable spout, while the beverage drains from the bottle through the existing mouth of said beverage bottle.

It is another object of the invention to allow the beverage to be dispensed as a one-handed operation. Accordingly, a simple spout is provided which allows the user to dispense the beverage by pressing a lever thereof. The dispenser and bottle have sufficient weight to ballast the dispenser upon an operating surface to allow such one-handed operation.

It is a further object of the invention to facilitate the smooth dispensing of the liquid. Thus, according to principles of fluid dynamics, air must enter the bottle for the fluid to drain therefrom. Although an inverted bottle will rapidly drain if held upside down over thin air, it does so in a rapid, turbulent, and messy fashion. However, to dispense the beverage in a smooth, controlled fashion, it is necessary to introduce air to replace the volume of liquid beverage leaving the bottle. To accomplish the same, the present invention sets forth several embodiments which have differing schemes for introducing air into the bottle. Among these, by a preferred embodiment, the dispenser is used with bottles having an air venting mechanism at the bottom of the bottle. Once installed in the dispenser and inverted, an air vent is opened to allow air to enter the bottle as the beverage leaves the spout. The air vent may be subsequently closed to allow the bottle to be removed from the dispenser prior to being fully emptied—so that the bottle can be once again refrigerated or otherwise stored in a non-inverted position.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a beverage dispenser for accommodating an attachable beverage bottle having a top, a bottom, and an upper portion. The top of the bottle has an externally threaded mouth, liquid beverage held within the bottle being dispensed through the mouth. An air release mechanism is  located at the bottom for allowing air to be infused into the bottle to allow an even flow of liquid out of the bottle. The base has a top surface and bottom. A circular opening is located on a cradle plate near the top surface of the base and is sized for accommodating and supporting the upper portion of the inverted bottle, while the bottom of the base rests upon an operating surface. A pipe has both inlet and outlet ends, the inlet end positioned within the base, and outlet end extending horizontally from the base. The inlet end has an internally threaded opening, oriented upward, and substantially concentric with the circular opening for receiving the threaded central aperture of the bottle when the bottle rests upon the circular opening. The pipe includes a right angle bend portion which orients the pipe toward one of the side walls such that the pipe extends through and externally beyond said side wall. A spout is located at the outlet end, external to the base and having a downwardly oriented spout opening located at a distance above the base bottom sufficient to allow a drinking glass to be inserted therebeneath on the operating surface. A valve lever on the spout gives the user selective control over the dispensing of liquid from the bottle through the spout opening.

It is a still further object of the invention to produce a beverage dispenser that easily supports the bottle when it is mated with the inlet. Accordingly, the circular opening is configured concentric with the inlet so that it can  support the upper portion of the inverted bottle when the inlet mates with the mouth at the top of said bottle.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10dispenser12beverage bottle12T top of bottle12U upper portion of bottle12B bottom of bottle14dispenser base14T top surface of base14S side walls of base16pipe16A inlet end of pipe16B outlet end of pipe18liquid beverage20mouth of bottle22external threading of bottle mouth24air vent mechanism26flip-up air vent28legs of base29cradle plate30circular opening32intermediate plate32B bottom surface of horizontal plate34central aperture in plate36internally threaded inlet38right angle bend portion40nut42spout43spout opening44spout valve lever46cover46S cover sides46T cover top46B cover bottom edge50self venting spout52vent tube54vent tube opening56self venting spout air inlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a dispenser10, for use with a beverage bottle12selectively attachable thereto such that the bottle12is supported by the dispenser10in an inverted position for dispensing liquid beverage18contained therein.

The bottle12is substantially shaped like a conventional soft drink bottle, namely a standard 2 liter soda bottle. Accordingly, the bottle12has a top12T, a bottom12B, and defines an interior volume for containing the liquid beverage18. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the bottle12is mostly filled with liquid beverage18. Better seen inFIG. 2, the top12T has a mouth20with external threading22which normally accommodates a cap for sealing the bottle12. The liquid18held within the bottle12is ordinarily dispensed through the mouth20once the cap has been removed by tilting the bottle and angling the mouth20downward. The bottle12has an upper portion12U below the mouth20opposite from the top12T and extending partially toward the bottom12B. The upper portion12U transitions from a smaller diameter at the mouth to a larger diameter when then remains substantially consistent to the bottom12B.

The dispenser10essentially comprises a bottle supporting base14, a pipe16having an inlet end16A and an outlet end16B, a spout42at the outlet end16B, and an  internally threaded inlet36at the inlet end16A for mating with the mouth20of the bottle. The pipe16provides fluid communication between its inlet end16A and outlet end16B. The spout42has a downturned spout opening43, and the internally threaded inlet36is upwardly oriented.

The base14has a top surface14T which defines a ledge but is otherwise substantially open, and four side walls14S extending downward therefrom. The base14facilitates the dispensing of liquid contents18of the bottle12by both holding the bottle12so that the user need not handle the same, and positioning the spout42for effective dispensing. Accordingly, the bottle supporting base14has four legs28extending downward from the side walls14S to stably support said dispenser10upon an operative surface, which may be a table, a countertop, etc. In addition, the base14must suspend the spout42a distance above the operative surface which allows a drinking vessel, such as a drinking glass to be inserted beneath the spout opening43. The spout42itself may be configured in a variety of ways. However, generally a tiltable lever44on the spout42is used to control the dispensing of liquid18from the bottle12.

An intermediate plate32is positioned horizontally within the base14, below yet near the top surface14T, and extends substantially between at least two of the side walls14S. The platform32has a central aperture34. The inlet  end16A of the pipe16extends upward through the central aperture34. A nut40extends around the pipe16immediately below the intermediate plate32, along the bottom surface32B thereof to fasten the pipe to the plate, and thereby lends support to the inlet end16A of the pipe16. When the bottle12is mated with the dispenser10, the externally threaded mouth20is mated with the internally threaded inlet36within the inlet end16A. Naturally then, a substantial portion of the weight of the bottle12is exerted upon the pipe16at the inlet end16A. Preferably the inlet end16A is also configured (with a flange or nut mating with or extending from the inlet end16A above the intermediate plate) so as to help distribute weight exerted upon the inlet end upon the intermediate plate32.

Immediately below the central aperture34, the pipe has a right angle bend portion38, such that the pipe16extends substantially vertically between the right angle bend portion38and the inlet end16A, and substantially horizontally between the right angle bend portion38and the outlet end16B. Accordingly, the pipe16extends horizontally below the intermediate plate32, and exits the base14through one of the side walls14S. The pipe16continues away from and external to the base14, horizontally beyond said side wall15S, to the spout42at the outlet end16B. Hardware may also be provided at said side wall14S, generally extending around the pipe16, which fastens the pipe at said side wall14S, and also helps support the weight of said pipe16thereat.

A cradle plate29extends horizontally within the base14near the top surface14T and has a circular opening30for accommodating the upper portion12U of the bottle12when inverted, as illustrated inFIG. 2. It is preferable that most of the weight of the bottle is supported by the cradle plate29, and that cradle plate29helps maintain the position of the bottle12and stabilizes the same. In this regard, typical beverage bottles12, namely standard two liter bottles, transitionally increase in diameter at the upper portion12U from an otherwise substantially consistent diameter below the upper portion12U to the considerably smaller diameter at the mouth20. When the bottle is inverted and extends downward into the base14, the upper portion12U of the bottle rests upon the cradle plate29, with a portion of the bottle12including the top12T of the bottle12extending below the cradle plate29. Accordingly, the base14is configured so that when the mouth20of the bottle12is fully threaded into the inlet end16A, the circular opening30is sized and positioned so as to meet the upper portion12U of the bottle12. In the case of standard two liter bottles, this positioning can be easily determined and fixed. To allow other bottles to be accommodated in this manner, the cradle plate may be made interchangeable, or may  be adjustably mounted within the side walls14S of the base, so that it can support the bottle, yet adjust in its relative position with respect to the inlet end16A so that when the mouth20of other bottles are mated with the inlet end16A, the upper end of said bottles will be similarly supported by the cradle plate29. Such adjustability of the position of the cradle plate29may be accomplished with rigid springs extending between the cradle plate29and intermediate plate32, which allow the cradle plate29to be pulled closer to the intermediate plate32, and thus the inlet end16A, as the mouth is fully threaded into inlet end16A, but are sufficiently rigid to otherwise hold the bottle in a stable position over the intermediate plate32.

A cover46is provided which is dimensionally configured to fit naturally on top of the base14to keep the inlet end16A clean when not in use, and to conceal the bottle12when the bottle12is connected to the dispenser10. The cover has a cover top46T and four cover sides46S which together define a cover interior. The cover46also has a cover bottom edge46B which defines an opening to the interior of the cover46and selectively rests on the top surface14T of the base14, as illustrated inFIG. 6, such that the bottle12is allowed to extend within the cover interior. Accordingly, the cover sides46S together have a similarly sized and shaped horizontal cross section as the base sides14S taken together. The cover46may be constructed from an insulative  material in order to keep the beverage contained within the bottle12at an optimum temperature for consumption.

In use, the dispenser10is inverted, the cap is removed from the bottle12, and the mouth20of said bottle is inserted through the circular opening in the cradle and into the inlet end16A of the pipe16. The mouth20of the bottle12is threaded into the inlet end16A, until secured tightly therein. Once the bottle12is securely fastened to the dispenser10, the dispenser10is then turned right side up, and the bottle12is thereby inverted, with the bottom portion12B of the bottle12oriented upward. The dispenser10, its base14, and the bottle12now mated therewith, is supported by its legs28. The cover46may be placed over the bottle12. A drinking cup (not shown) is then placed under the spout42and the contents of the bottle12are accessed by pressing upon the lever44.

As previously noted, it is important to introduce air into the bottle12as the liquid contents18thereof are dispensed. The introduction of air into the bottle12may be accomplished in a variety of ways.

According to a preferred embodiment, an air venting mechanism24is located at or near the bottom12B of the bottle, as illustrated inFIG. 4, to allow its use in conjunction with the dispenser10while ensuring the smooth  dispensing of liquid beverage18through the spout42. The venting mechanism24is selectively operable by the user to allow atmospheric air to enter the interior volume of the bottle12to replace the volume of liquid beverage18as it is dispensed from the bottle12. While many forms of the venting mechanism24may be employed, the drawing figures illustrate a flip-up air vent26that is selectively openable by the user by simply pivoting the flip-up vent26by ninety degrees to open a passageway for allowing air to be introduced into the bottle12when liquid18is being dispensed therethrough, and is selectively closeable by pivoting the flip-up vent by ninety degrees so that it is substantially flush with the venting mechanism24. According to this embodiment of the invention, beverage bottles12must have the venting mechanism for the dispenser10to function properly and dispense the liquid beverage18smoothly. The venting mechanism24should be configured while taking into consideration the pressurization of carbonated drinks which are commonly contained in the beverage bottles12, such that the venting mechanism must be able to create an effective seal against internal pressures from such carbonated beverages. The actual venting mechanism24can be implemented in numerous ways that allow it to effectively allow or prevent gaseous communication between the bottle interior and the atmosphere. In addition, the venting mechanism24can employ a venting which allows air to enter, but does not allow liquid to exit. In general, however, the  venting mechanism24must be closed if the bottle12is to be turned right-side-up before it is emptied of all liquid beverage18therein, such as when the bottle12is removed from the dispenser for refrigeration or storage.

FIG. 7illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, wherein the spout42is a self-venting spout50. Self venting spouts are sometimes used to dispense industrial chemicals from large (55 gallon) drums, which are otherwise sealed. According to this embodiment of the present invention, a vent tube52extends from the self-venting spout50, substantially coaxially through the pipe16, such that the vent tube extends upward through the inlet end16A, and exits therefrom such that it extends slightly into the mouth20of the bottle12, when mated with the inlet end16A. A vent tube opening54is located on the vent tube52above the inlet end16A and on a fully opposite end thereof from the self venting spout50. The self venting spout50has a self venting spout air inlet56, which may be located immediately adjacent to the spout opening43. The self venting spout50is configured to convey air from the venting spout air inlet56, through the vent tube52and into the bottle12through the vent tube opening54, as indicated by the arrows inFIG. 7.

As previously noted, beyond the preferred embodiments described above, in meeting the other goals of the invention,  other devices and techniques can be employed to vent the bottle to allow smooth dispensing of liquids therefrom. For example, if it is known that the liquid contents of the bottle will be fully consumed before removal from the dispenser, then the bottle may even be punctured by a needle valve or the like, when the cover46is lowered onto the base14. Numerous other such devices and techniques would be known to those skilled in the art.

In conclusion, herein is presented a beverage dispenser which mates with a bottle, inverts the bottle, and then allows the contents of said bottle to be easily dispensed by using an easy to operate spout. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.