Flavoring dispenser for dressing a beverage bottle neck

A dispenser for delivering a pourable, edible substance, such as salt, to the exterior surface of a bottle neck provides a body with a closed end and an open end. An interior compartment contains the pourable substance. The closed end has a planar exterior surface for securely positioning the dispenser on a horizontal surface such as a countertop. The open end has a mouth sized to receive the beverage bottle neck. A movable cap is attached to the body or a removable closure assembly.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of food service products and more particularly to devices for dressing the exterior of beverage containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present inventions and disclosures are described by reference to drawings showing one or more examples of how the inventions can be made and used. In these drawings, reference characters are used throughout the several views to indicate like or corresponding parts. In the description which follows, like or corresponding parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawings are not to scale and proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features.

FIG. 1is an elevation side view in cross-section of an exemplary dispenser according to an aspect of the invention. A dispenser, generally designated10, for delivering a pourable, edible substance12to the exterior surface of a beverage bottle, in dashed lines, is illustrated. A beverage bottle14having an elongated neck16and a sealed bottle cap17is shown positioned with the neck positioned into the interior compartment18defined by the dispenser10. A pourable, edible substance12is positioned in the interior compartment as well.

The interior compartment18is elongated to allow insertion of a typical, commercially available, beverage bottle neck, including, in an exemplary embodiment both regular and long-neck bottles. The beverage bottles can be made of glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel, plastic or other material. The interior compartment is bounded by solid walls to contain the pourable substance and preferably fits tightly enough to maintain the pourable substance dry. The overall length of the dispenser can be in the range of between about 17 to 30 cm. The open end24defines a circular mouth30. The mouth30provides a tight or flush fit, without undue application of force by the user, against a bottle neck. In one embodiment, the mouth is between 5.1 and 5.7 cm. In another embodiment, the mouth is between 5.4 cm and 6.8 cm. In one embodiment the mouth diameter is approximately 5.45 cm. In some embodiments, the dispenser can also “dress,” or apply a pourable substance to, both bottles and standard beverage cans. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the mouth opening diameter is between the end diameter and body diameter of a standard aluminum can, as indicated inFIG. 1by dashed line15. Standard can sizes and dimensions vary in different world regions. Standard cans in common use in North America come in eight, twelve and sixteen ounce sizes, for example. Standard body diameters for a twelve ounce can are about 6.6 cm (or 6.8 cm on some cans) and about standard end diameters are about 5.4 cm. In South America a standard twelve ounce can has a body diameter of approximately 6.6 cm and an end diameter of approximately 5.9 cm. European and Russian cans are typically in 250, 330, 440, and 500 ml sizes with an end diameter of 52 mm and a body diameter of 66.2 to 66.3 mm.

At the upper end24of the body20is a closure assembly40having, in one embodiment, a base portion44and a cap42. The closure assembly40is preferably detachable, or removably attachable, by hand, to the upper end of the dispenser body20. The attachment mechanism42of the closure assembly40can take various forms, such as friction fit, mating threads (internal or external to the dispenser body), snap-on connections, safety cap connection, etc. In the preferred embodiment seen inFIG. 1, the attachment mechanism comprises mating threads. The threads can be machined, molded, or otherwise created, can be acme or regular threads, and can be metal, plastic or other material. The closure assembly40depicted has an outer diameter greater than that of the body20. In an alternate embodiment, the exterior surfaces of the body and closure assembly can be flush, having the same outer diameter.

Further, the closure assembly40shown has an opening41therethrough concentric with and of the same inner diameter as the mouth30of the dispenser body20. Where such a closure assembly is used, the effective mouth for the assembled dispenser and closure assembly is closure assembly mouth30′. In such a case, the closure mouth30′ performs the same functions as described herein for the dispenser body mouth30.

The cap42is movably attached to the closure assembly base portion44and is movable with respect to the dispenser body20, particularly the mouth30. The cap is movable by hand between a fully open position, in which a bottle neck or pourable substance can be inserted into the interior compartment18, and a closed position in which the cap covers the mouth30of the dispenser body20. In the open position, the interior compartment can be used, rinsed or washed. In the closed position, a pourable substance can be stored securely in the interior compartment18. The cap42provides a press-fit upon application of slight hand-pressure to ensure the cap stays closed. Alternately, the cap42can be secured to the base44by a latch, clasp, etc.

The cap42seen inFIG. 1is pivotally attached to the closure assembly base40at a pivot46. The pivot can be a simple plastic tab extending between the cap and base, a hinge, a hinge having a transverse pivot pin, etc. Alternately, the cap can be removably attached to the base and secured to the base by a string, chain, etc. The cap can include a tab48for easing opening and closing of the cap.

In another embodiment, a movable or removable cap is attached to the dispenser body directly, without the need for a separate closure assembly.

FIG. 2is a partial elevation view of an embodiment of the dispenser according to an aspect of the disclosure. An exemplary embodiment includes a storage unit50attached or attachable to the lower end22of the dispenser body20. Such a storage unit50can be removably attachable to the body such as by friction fit, mating threads, etc., or other attachment mechanism54. Alternately, the storage unit can be monolithic with or permanently attached to the body20. An inner compartment52of the storage unit provides a space for storage of small items, for example, lime slices or spare pourable substance. Where the storage unit is provided, the exterior bottom surface56of the unit is preferably planar, allowing stable positioning of the dispenser, with the unit attached, on a flat surface. Preferably the storage unit has exterior dimensions corresponding to those of the dispenser body (e.g., outer diameter).

FIG. 3is a partial elevation view of an embodiment of the dispenser according to an aspect of the disclosure. Alternately, the storage unit50can be of different dimensions or shape than the dispenser body20. In the example seen inFIG. 3, the storage unit has an enlarged outer diameter portion53providing a larger bottom surface56for stable placement of the dispenser on a flat surface. An alternate storage unit has an outer diameter and shape sized to snugly fit into a bottle compartment of a typical six-pack package, a cup holder, etc. Alternately, an enlarged outer diameter portion of the lower end22of the dispenser body20can be provided, with or without the storage unit capacity.

The storage unit compartment52has an open end58, which can be positioned at the upper or lower end of the storage unit. InFIG. 2, the compartment52has an upwardly facing open end58; inFIG. 3the compartment52has a downwardly facing open end58.

Further, the storage unit50can include a storage cap70, as seen inFIG. 3. Such a cap can take various forms, as discussed above with reference to dispenser cap42, can be removable, attached via pivot or otherwise, press-fit, etc. The movable storage cap70is shown in an open position inFIG. 3and positioned at the lower end of the unit50. Alternately, the storage cap70can be positioned at the storage unit side surface, upper end, etc. Where the storage cap70is at the lower end of the unit, note that the outer surface72of the storage cap70, when closed, serves as the planar surface56for positioning the dispenser assembly on a flat surface.

An exterior connector60is positioned, permanently or removably, to the dispenser20. The exemplary connector60shown is a belt clip, however, the connector can alternately or also be a key chain loop, a loop sized to hang the dispenser from a hook or bottle neck, a magnetic or adhesive connector for attachment to a cooperating surface (such as a magnetic refrigerator surface).

A bottle opener62is positioned on the dispenser, preferably the dispenser body20. The bottle opener can be positioned on any exterior surface of the dispenser or storage unit.

The dispenser, or a plurality of dispensers, can be collected into a kit, the kit comprising one or more of the following: dispenser body, closure assembly, exterior connector, bottle opener, pourable substances, and/or storage unit.

For washing, the storage unit and/or closure assembly are removable. All elements of the dispenser are preferably washable, dish-washer safe, and refrigerator safe.

A device is presented for applying salt or other flavoring to the exterior of a bottle neck (sometimes called “rimming”). The device can be of plastic, polypropylene, or other food-safe (e.g., PBA free) material. The device has a tubular body having a hinged-top, screw-top, snap-top, etc., and/or a closure at an open end of the body. The tube exterior shape includes a flat base surface at a closed end of the body. In some embodiments, an exterior connector or bottle cap opener is positioned on the exterior of the body.

The dispenser is used to apply salt or other pourable edible substance to a beverage bottle after application of lemon or lime juice (or any other edible liquid substance to which the pourable substance will stick) to the neck of an unopened bottle. A pourable substance is placed in the interior compartment of the dispenser. The bottle is turned upside down and placed inside the interior compartment. If necessary, a movable cap is removed from the dispenser mouth prior to insertion of the bottle neck. The bottle is inserted as deeply as possible, such that the bottle exterior is flush with the dispenser mouth. Both the dispenser and the bottle, in unison and remaining in contact, are flipped over allowing the pourable substance to fall over and stick to the wetted portion of the bottle neck. The dispenser and bottle are flipped to an upright position, and the bottle neck is removed from the dispenser. The cap can be moved to a closed position to provide for storage of remaining or added pourable substance.

The disclosure is provided in support of any methods claimed or which may be later claimed. Specifically, support is provided to meet the technical, procedural, or substantive requirements of certain examining offices. It is expressly understood that the portions or actions of the methods can be performed in any order, unless specified or otherwise necessary, that each portion of the method can be repeated, performed in orders other than those presented, that additional actions can be performed between the enumerated actions, and that, unless stated otherwise, actions can be omitted or moved. Those of skill in the art will recognize the various possible combinations and permutations of actions performable in the methods disclosed herein without an explicit listing of every possible such combination or permutation. It is explicitly disclosed and understood that the actions disclosed can be performed in any order (xyz, xzy, yxz, yzx, etc.) without the wasteful and tedious inclusion of writing out every such order.

The words or terms used herein have their plain, ordinary meaning in the field of this disclosure, except to the extent explicitly and clearly defined in this disclosure or unless the specific context otherwise requires a different meaning.

The words “comprising,” “containing,” “including,” “having,” and all grammatical variations thereof are intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning. For example, a composition comprising a component does not exclude it from having additional components, an apparatus comprising a part does not exclude it from having additional parts, and a method having a step does not exclude it having additional steps. When such terms are used, the compositions, apparatuses, and methods that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the specified components, parts, and steps are specifically included and disclosed.

As used herein, the words “consisting essentially of,” and all grammatical variations thereof, are intended to limit the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed disclosure.

The indefinite articles “a” or “an” mean one or more than one of the component, part, or step that the article introduces. The terms “and,” “or,” and “and/or” shall be read in the least restrictive sense possible. Each numerical value should be read once as modified by the term “about” (unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not so modified, unless otherwise indicated in context.

Whenever a numerical range of degree or measurement with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any range falling within the range is also intended to be specifically disclosed. For example, every range of values (in the form “from a to b,” or “from about a to about b,” or “from about a to b,” “from approximately a to b,” and any similar expressions, where “a” and “b” represent numerical values of degree or measurement) is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values.

While the foregoing written description of the disclosure enables one of ordinary skill to make and use the embodiments discussed, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiments, methods, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, methods, and examples. While this disclosure has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is, therefore, evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The various elements or steps according to the disclosed elements or steps can be combined advantageously or practiced together in various combinations or sub-combinations of elements or sequences of steps to increase the efficiency and benefits that can be obtained from the disclosure. It will be appreciated that one or more of the above embodiments may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The disclosure illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or step that is not specifically disclosed or claimed. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction, composition, design, or steps herein shown, other than as described in the claims.