Abstract:
A rotatable top for use with a container for measuring, mixing, and dispending drinks. The rotatable top rotates around an axis and provides multiple positions for (i) measuring volumes of liquid and dumping that liquid into the container, (ii) inserting additional liquid, ice or other solids into the container, (iii) closing and sealing the top and container for mixing the drink, and (iv) dispensing the mixed drink with or without a strainer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/081,257 filed Jul. 16, 2008 and 61/083,113 filed on Jul. 23, 2008. These two provisional applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a mixing and dispensing container having a top with multiple positions used to measure, mix and dispense cocktails or other drinks. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Cocktails and other drinks typically require mixing several ingredients together, including ice and various liquids. For example, a bartender may mix in a container several liquids of various volumes together with ice or other solids, after which the mixed drink is poured into a glass. Generally, it is preferable to have a precise measurement of the various liquids included in a mixed drink, as many mixed drinks require specific ratios of alcohol, other flavored liquids or solids for a distinctive taste. Those preparing mixed drinks therefore usually have a separate measuring device for measuring volumes of the various liquids put into the mixed drink. It is also generally preferable to separate the solids such as ice from the mixed liquids when serving the mixed drink to prevent both splashing of the ice or solids when the mixed drink is poured and dilution of the taste of the mixed drink. Sometimes, however, it is desirable to pour and serve the ice or other solids along with the mixed drink. 
         [0006]    There are many cocktail shakers and other mixing devices that have been patented and are on the market, but none of them offer the combined functionality of a cocktail mixer with a single rotatable top having a volume measuring position, a straining position, an open position and a closed position. Instead, typical prior art containers require assembling several pieces to form a container and lid assembly to measure, mix, and strain a beverage. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Generally, the present invention is directed to a device for measuring, mixing and dispensing beverages. In particular, the present invention is a rotatable top having multiple positions that facilitate the measuring of one or more ingredients, mixing those ingredient(s) with ice or other solids, and then dispensing the mixture with or without the ice or other solids. 
         [0008]    The present invention is also directed to a container that is generally comprised of a container portion and a rotatable top secured thereto. Preferably, the top and container portions of the receptacle are removably coupled together to form one device. 
         [0009]    In embodiments, the top portion is configured to be a unitary body that rotates about an axis to several positions. The several positions of the rotatable top may include (i) a measuring position providing a graduated measuring cup for measuring ingredients such as liquids for a drink, (ii) a closed position for dumping the ingredients into the container from the measuring cup and for providing a closed container when mixing ingredients without substantial leaking or spilling, (iii) a straining position for dispensing the mixed drink while substantially straining the ice or other solids, and (iv) an open position for dispensing the mixed drink, ice or solids without straining and for adding other ingredients to the mixed drink without using the measuring position. In embodiments of the present invention, the container is a means for containing and mixing a drink and the rotatable top is a means for providing rotatable measuring, mixing and dispensing positions along a single axis. 
         [0010]    The inventive rotatable top, when combined with a container, allows a person to scoop ice or other solids or liquids into the container when the top is in the open position, measure precise volumes of liquid when the top is in the measuring position, mix the drink by moving or shaking the container and top in a horizontal, circular or other similar fashion when the top is in the closed position, dispense the mixed drink and substantially strain the ice or other solids when the top is in the staining position, and dispense the mixed drink, ice, or other solids when the lid is in the open position. Moreover, the present invention alleviates the need to assemble several pieces used for measuring, mixing and dispensing mixed drinks with conventional cocktail shakers, providing even an unskilled person the tools to make a mixed drink with precise ingredients and dispense only desired ice or other solids with a single container and rotatable top. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the present invention provides a drink mixing receptacle having a container with a closed distal end and an open proximate end and a rotatable apparatus removably coupled to the proximate end of the container. In some embodiments, the rotatable apparatus comprises a measuring chamber with graduated volume indicators for measuring a liquid volume, a dispensing portion having a perforated area for dispensing a liquid, and a rotatable coupling configured to allow a user to rotate the rotatable apparatus between the measuring chamber and the dispensing portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beverage maker according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a rotatable top according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a portion of the rotatable top according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a portion of the rotatable top according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of a portion of the rotatable top according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the beverage maker with the rotatable top in a closed position according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the beverage maker with the rotatable top in a dispensing or straining position according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the beverage maker with the rotatable top in an open position according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the beverage maker with the rotatable top in a measuring position according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the beverage maker with the rotatable top in a closed position according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the beverage maker with the rotatable top in a dispensing or straining position according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the beverage maker with the rotatable top in an open position according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the beverage maker with the rotatable top in a measuring position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-3 , a measuring, mixing and dispending device  30 , also referred to as a “cocktail mixer,” includes a rotatable top  10  removably coupled to a container  20 . The rotatable top  10  includes a container gasket  15  around a lower portion of the rotatable top  10 , where the container gasket  15  is configured to fit snugly inside an inside upper portion  25  of the container  20 . The rotatable top  10  and the container  20  combine to form the cocktail mixer  30 , with the container gasket  15  providing a seal that substantially prevents liquid from escaping between the rotatable top  10  and the container  20 . The rotatable top  10  can be rotated by a user applying force to a lip portion  45  on the rotatable top  10 . 
         [0027]    The container  20  and rotatable top  10  may be made of any material suitable for a drinking apparatus, such as various plastics and metals or combinations thereof. Any gasket material or combination of materials suitable for use with a beverage container may be used as container gasket  15  as long as the gasket material provides a seal between and snugly holds together the rotatable top  10  and container  20 . In some embodiments, container gasket  15  is not present. For example, in an embodiment, rotatable top  10  and container  20  comprise a unitary body or are sealed together without a gasket. In an alternative embodiment, rotatable top  10  is screwed onto container  20  by a screw closure. For example, mating threads may be used in place of the container gasket  15 , with threads on the bottom portion of the rotatable top  10  and complementary threads on the inside top portion of the container  20  for securing the container  20  and rotatable top  10  and providing a seal therebetween. In other alternative embodiments, the rotatable top  10  is secured to the container  20  by one or more hinges, such as a hinge secured to corresponding portions of the rotatable top  10  and container  20  for opening, closing, and securing the rotatable top  10  to the container  20 . In another alternative embodiment, the rotatable top  10  is secured to the container by a protruding ridge on a portion of the rotatable top  10  that couples to and mechanically fits with a corresponding groove or cutout on the container  20 , or vice-versa. The various means for securing the container  20  and rotatable top  10  are means for coupling. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4C , portions of the rotatable top  10  are shown. In  FIG. 4A , a portion of the rotatable top  10   a  has a rotatable portion  35   a  rotatably coupled to a stationary portion  10   b.  The rotatable portion  35   a  is rotatably coupled to the stationary portion  10   b  at receiving members  120  that define a rotation axis  125  such that the rotatable portion  35   a  rotates about the rotation axis  125  at the receiving members  120 . The rotatable portion  35   a  may be coupled to the stationary portion  10   b  by any coupling device that secures the rotatable portion  35   a  to the stationary portion  10   b  and allows the rotatable portion  35   a  to rotate about the rotation axis  125 . For example, the rotatable portion  35   a  may be coupled to the stationary portion  10   b  by pins  130  that extend radially from a lid  10   c  of the rotatable portion  35  into receiving members  120  in the stationary portion  10   b.  Other coupling mechanisms are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as a ball and socket or a biased latch or protruding rib that engages receiving members  120  or other receiving portions configured to secure the rotatable portion  35   a  to the stationary portion  10   b.  The stationary portion  10   b  also has the container gasket  15  around an outside perimeter of its bottom portion and an upper gasket  70  around its upper portion where the lid  10   c  of the rotatable top  10  is coupled to the rotatable portion  35   a.  The upper gasket  70  is configured to substantially prevent liquid from leaking out from between the lid  10   c  and stationary portion  10   b  of the rotatable top  10 . 
         [0029]    Any gasket material suitable for use with a beverage container may be used as upper gasket  70 . In alternative embodiments, the lid  10   c  of the rotatable top  10  is coupled to the rotatable portion  35   a  such that the upper gasket  70  is not necessary. For example, lid  10   c  may be substantially permanently coupled to or configured as a unitary seal with the rotatable portion  35   a,  thereby preventing leakage without a gasket. Various positions of the rotatable top  10  will now be described in reference to  FIGS. 5-12 . The rotatable top  10  is removably coupled to the container  20  forming the cocktail mixer  30 . In  FIGS. 5 and 9 , the rotatable top  10  is shown in a closed position  40  with the rotatable portion  35  removably secured against the stationary portion  10   b  of the rotatable top  10 . In the closed position  40 , the cocktail mixer  30  is substantially sealed and will hold liquid inside while a user shakes or mixes a beverage within the cocktail mixer  30  without a significant amount of liquid escaping. 
         [0030]    In  FIGS. 6 and 10 , the rotatable top  10  is shown in a straining position  50  with the rotatable portion  35  rotated upwards by a user by pressing upwards on lip  45  to reveal perforated area  60  between the stationary portion  10   b  of the rotatable top  10  and the upper gasket  70  of the rotatable portion  35 . The straining position  50  is provided by simply rotating the rotatable portion  35  about the rotation axis  125  to expose the perforations in the perforated area  60 . A stop mechanism comprising stationary stop lip  55  and rotating stop lips  65  (shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C ) holds the rotatable top  10  in the straining position  50  such that a lower portion of the perforated area  60  is at or below an upper portion of the stationary portion  10 b, allowing a drink mixed in the cocktail mixer  30  to be dispensed through the perforated area  60  without substantial leakage between the lower portion of the perforated area  60  and the upper portion of the stationary portion  10   b  of the top. The stop mechanism holds the rotatable top  10  in the straining position  50  when the stationary stop lip  55  is pushed between the rotating stop lips  65  (shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C ), such that an applied force by a user is necessary to move the rotatable top  10  out of the straining position  50 . In alternative embodiments, multiple rotating stop lips  65  can be used to provide a desired stop resistance at many desired rotational positions for the rotatable lid  10  along its rotation axis. Any suitable mechanism may be used in place of the stationary stop lip  55  and rotating stop lips  65  for holding the rotatable top  10  in the straining position  50 , or to hold the rotating top  10  in any desired rotated position. In alternative embodiments, the stop mechanism is configured to allow a user to apply enough force by hand to move the rotatable top  10  into its various rotated positions while the stop mechanism supplies enough resistance to prevent the rotatable top  10  from moving out of position without that user&#39;s force. Alternative stop mechanisms can include a rib and groove disposed about portions of the peripherals of the rotatable top  10  configured to engage stationary portions of the lid  10   c  or container  20 . The straining position  50  and perforated area  60  are configured such that when pouring a mixed drink out of the cocktail mixer  30 , liquid can pass through the perforated area  60  but solids, such as ice, cannot substantially pass through. In alternative embodiments, the perforated area  60  may be configured with multiple holes of different sizes. For example, in one position the top rows of the perforated area  60  may be smaller to substantially only allow liquid to pass through, while lower rows of the perforated area  60  may be bigger to allow smaller to larger pieces of ice or other solids to pass through. In other embodiments, the perforations may be any desired shape or size. 
         [0031]    In  FIGS. 7 and 11 , the rotatable top  10  is shown in an open position  80 , which is accomplished by a user applying a force to the lip  45  and moving the rotatable top  10  out of the straining position  50 , thereby moving the bottom rotating stop lip  65  past the stationary stop lip  55  (shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C ). In this position, a beverage may be poured out of the cocktail mixer  30  without straining through an open space  135  between the rotatable portion  35  and the stationary portion  10   b  of the top. Liquids and solids may also be inserted and poured directly into the container  20  of the cocktail mixer  30  in the open position  80  through the open space  135 . Liquids and solids may also be poured into the measuring well  100  in the open position  80 . 
         [0032]    In  FIGS. 8 and 12 , the rotatable top  10  is shown in a measuring position  90 , which is accomplished by a user applying a force to the lip  45  and moving the rotatable top  10  out of the open position  80 . In this position, a user may pour various liquids or other materials into a measuring well  100 . Measuring indicia  110  within the measuring well  100  allow the user to measure a volume of liquid poured into the measuring well  100 . Once a desired amount of liquid is within the measuring well  100 , the user may pour the liquid into the container  20  by moving the rotatable top  10  back into the closed position  40 , or a position close to the closed position  40 , such that the liquid drops from the measuring well  100  into the container  20 . The measuring well  100  may be used to measure any suitable liquid, solid or other material for pouring or mixing within the container  20 . In embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 12  for example, the measuring position  90 , measuring well  100  and measuring indicia  110  are configured to provide a precise angled measuring system where the well  100  and indicia  110  are at an angle to provide ease of viewing and measurement by a user measuring ingredients for a mixed drink. In alternative embodiments, the measuring indicia  110  may be configured to measure volume of a liquid or solid or other desirable measurements. In other embodiments, the measuring well  100  does not have measuring indicia  110  but instead, for example, may be a pre-defined volume. 
         [0033]    A user may use the measuring well  100  multiple times to make a drink, for example, to measure several different liquids and/or solids for a desired cocktail. These liquids may include alcohol, spirits, liquors, juices, flavorings, and water, among other desired liquids, and the solids may include ice, spices, plant matter, fruit, vegetables, flavorings, or any other desired solid. The user may use the measuring well  100  to separately measure various liquids, each time rotating the rotatable top  10  to the measuring position  90  and pouring the measured liquid into the container  20  by rotating the rotatable top  10  into the closed position  40 . During, before, or after using the measuring position  90 , the user may also insert various other liquids, solids or other materials, such as ice, into the container  20  by rotating the rotatable top  10  into the open position  80  and inserting the liquids, solids or other materials directly into the container  20  through an open space  135  ( FIG. 11 ) between the rotatable portion  35   a  and the stationary portion  10   b  of the rotatable top  10 . After all of the desired ingredients are within the container  20 , the user may rotate the rotatable top  10  into the closed position  40  and proceed to mix or shake the container&#39;s  20  contents. Then, the user may rotate the rotatable top  10  into the straining position  50  and dispense the mixed drink through the perforations  60 . Additionally, or in the alternative, the user may rotate the rotatable top  10  into the open position  80  and dispense the mixed drink through the open space  135 , which may dispense other materials in the container besides liquid, such as ice. 
         [0034]    The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ the inventive concepts and to provide yet further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.