Abstract:
A liquid pour tray provides a plurality of liquid retaining receptacles each having a proximal portion and a distal portion defining an open end, the distal portion having a width narrowing in a direction opposite the proximal portion toward the open end. A plurality of partitions are interposed between the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles and an overflow reservoir is in fluid communication with the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/331,128, filed May 3, 2016, entitled POUR TRAY, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    n/a 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a liquid distribution and metering tray, and in particular, a pour tray for a liquid freezing machine. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    When serving alcohol to patrons at establishments, such as a bars and restaurants, measuring the amount of alcohol to include in an alcoholic beverage presents numerous challenges. While metered alcohol dispensers exist that are placed on top of a bottle of alcohol, such dispensers are often disabled or removed by servers for pours that are larger than the predetermined metered amount, thus resulting in frequent alcohol spills. Such spills are wasteful and result in bar owners losing the ability to accurately track the sales, inventory, and alcohol consumption attributable to patrons. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A liquid pour tray is provided including a plurality of liquid retaining receptacles in fluid communication with each other and sized to retain substantially a same predetermined volume of liquid, each of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles including a proximal portion and a distal portion extending away from the proximal portion, the distal portion being tapered in a direction away from the proximal portion. A plurality of partitions are disposed between each of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. The plurality of partitions taper inwardly in a direction away from the distal portion of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. A ledge is disposed proximal to the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles and spans substantially a length of the tray and an overflow reservoir is disposed proximal to the ledge. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles includes four receptacles each sized to retain a volume of approximately 0.25 fluid ounces of liquid. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of partitions includes a first partition, a second partition, and a third partition, the second partition including a width larger than a width of the first partition and the third partition. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles includes four liquid retaining receptacles, and the second partition is interposed between two pairs of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. 
         [0009]    In another aspect of this embodiment, each of the plurality of partitions tapers inwardly to contact the ledge. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the distal portion of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles is elevated with respect to the proximal portion when the tray is in an upright position. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the distal portion of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles includes a frustroconical edge. 
         [0012]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the distal portion of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles includes an open end. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the liquid pour tray includes a cover sealing the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the liquid pour tray includes a liquid retaining cartridge sized to fit within the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the liquid pour tray includes a plurality of liquid retaining receptacles each including a proximal portion and a distal portion defining an open end, the distal portion having a width narrowing in a direction opposite the proximal portion toward the open end. A plurality of partitions are interposed between the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles and an overflow reservoir in fluid communication with the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. 
         [0016]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the liquid pour tray includes ledge at least partially defining a liquid channel fluidly coupling the plurality of liquid receptacles to each other. 
         [0017]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the ledge is disposed proximal to the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles, the ledge spanning substantially a length of the tray. 
         [0018]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the open end of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles includes a frustroconical edge. 
         [0019]    In another aspect of this embodiment, each of the plurality of partitions tapers in a direction away from the distal portion of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. 
         [0020]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the distal portion of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles is elevated with respect to the proximal portion when the tray is in an upright position. 
         [0021]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of partitions includes a middle partition interposed between a first outer partition and a second outer partition, the middle partition having a width greater than a width of the first and the second outer partitions. 
         [0022]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the liquid pour tray includes a cover for sealing the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. 
         [0023]    In another aspect of this embodiment, the liquid pour tray includes a liquid retaining cartridge sized to fit within the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. 
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment, the liquid pour tray includes a plurality of liquid retaining receptacles in fluid communication with each other and sized to retain substantially a same predetermined volume of liquid. Each of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles includes a proximal portion and a distal portion extending away from the proximal portion, the distal portion sloped at an angle with respect to the proximal portion and terminating in a frustroconical edge defining an open end. A plurality of partitions are disposed between each of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles, each of the plurality of partitions tapering in a direction away from the distal portion of the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. A ledge is disposed proximal to the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles and spans substantially a length of the tray, the ledge defining a liquid channel fluidly coupling the plurality of liquid receptacles to each other. An overflow reservoir is disposed proximal to the ledge and a cover seals the plurality of liquid retaining receptacles. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a liquid pour tray; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the liquid pour tray shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the liquid pour tray shown in  FIG. 1  including a cover; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of the pour tray shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  taken along section A-A of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    As used here, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” “front and rear,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. 
         [0031]    Referring now to the drawings in which like reference designators refer to like elements there is shown in  FIG. 1  an exemplary pour tray for liquids constructed in accordance with the principles of the application and designated generally as “ 10 .” The tray  10  may be sized to retain, distribute, and pour a predetermined amount of liquid, for example, wine, beer, spirits, mixed beverages, water, cocktail mixes, or combinations thereof. The tray  10  used to manually pour the predetermined amount of liquid or may be installed within a liquid freezing machine (not shown). 
         [0032]    In an exemplary configuration, the tray  10  is plastic and transparent, but in other configurations may be opaque or translucent and may be composed of any material. The tray  10  may include four liquid receptacles  12  each sized to retain a predetermined volume of liquid, for example 0.25 fluid ounces. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , four receptacles  12   a - 12   d  (referred to collective as “the receptacles  12 ”) are included, each being sized to retain up to 0.25 fluid ounces, although any number of receptacles  12  may be included. The receptacles  12  may also be sized to retain greater than 0.25 fluid ounces. 
         [0033]    The receptacles  12  may each define a tapered distal portion  14  to pour the liquid out from the tray  10  in the form of a stream of liquid. When the tray  10  is in a first position, i.e., an upright position, in which the liquid is retained within the receptacles  12 , the tapered distal portion  14  may be elevated above a proximal portion  16  of each receptacle  12 . For example, the tapered distal portion  14  may extend at an angle above the proximal portion  16  such that a retained liquid is forced down into the proximal portion  16  by gravity. In one exemplary embodiment, the angle of the tapered distal portion  14  with respect to the proximal portion  16  is approximately 35-45 degrees. 
         [0034]    In an exemplary configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1  in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , the proximal portion  16  of the receptacle defines a first height  24  and a first width  26 , each of which may be substantially constant across the volume defined by the proximal portion  16 . The distal portion  14  includes a second height  28  and a second width  30  which gradually decrease with respect to the first height  24  and the first width  26  as the distal portion  14  extends away from the proximal portion  16 . Said another way, the distal portion  14  is tapered in a direction away from the proximal portion  16 . In other configurations, the distal portion  14  and the proximal portion  16  may have substantially the same height and width. 
         [0035]    In the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the liquid retaining receptacles  12  may be substantially triangular in cross-section to funnel a volume of liquid toward the distal portion  14  when the tray  10  is pivoted from the first position in which the liquid is retained within the receptacles  12  to a second position, i.e., a pouring position, in which the liquid is poured from the receptacles  12 . The distal portion  14  of the receptacles  12  defines an open distal end  32 , which although shown as frustroconical in shape, may be in any shape to allow for a wider or narrower pour of liquid out of the receptacles  12 . For example, clipping or cutting the distal ends  32  of the receptacles  12  to define the frustroconical shape provides for a particularly funneled liquid flow out of the receptacles  12 . 
         [0036]    Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , three partitions  18 , such as a first outer partition  18   a,  a middle partition  18   b,  and a second outer partition  18   c  (referred to collective as “the partitions  18 ”), may be included as part of the tray  10  and configured to distribute liquid within the tray  10 . The tray  10  may include more or less than three partitions. The partitions  18  direct liquid into a corresponding one of the liquid retaining receptacles  12 . 
         [0037]    In one configuration, the middle partition  18  is disposed at approximately a center of the tray  10  and defines a width  34  greater than a width  36  of the first and second outer partitions  18 . When four liquid retaining receptacles  12  are included, two of the four receptacles  12  are disposed on opposite sides of the middle partition  18   b.  In an exemplary configuration, each of the partitions  18  taper in width as they extend proximally to distribute the liquid poured into the tray  10  into a corresponding one of the receptacles  12 . Thus, when liquid is poured into the tray  10  from a position substantially centered above the tray  10 , the middle partition  18   b  directs liquid into the receptacles  12   b - 12   c.  As the receptacles  12   b - 12   c  are filled to a maximum predetermined volume of liquid, liquid flows around the outer partitions  18   a,   18   c  and fills the receptacles  12   a,   12   d.  Any overflow of liquid exceeding the maximum predetermined volume of liquid to be retained in the receptacles  12 , flows into an overflow reservoir  22 , as discussed in detail below. 
         [0038]    In one exemplary configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a liquid retaining cartridge  44  may be provided which is sized to fit within the receptacle  12 . The liquid retaining cartridge  44  contains a seal for sealing a premeasured volume of liquid within the liquid retaining cartridge  44 . For example, the liquid retaining cartridge  44  may include wine, beer, spirits, mixed beverages, water, cocktail mixes, or combinations thereof. The seal may be removed from the liquid retaining cartridge  44  so that the premeasured volume of liquid sealed therein can be poured out of the distal portion  14  of the receptacle  12 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a perspective view of the tray  10  and a cross-sectional view of the tray taken across section A-A of  FIGS. 1 and 2  are depicted, respectively. More specifically, disposed proximal to the receptacles  12  and the partitions  18  is a ledge  20  spanning substantially the entire length  38  of the tray  10 . The ledge  20  is raised above the bottom of the proximal portion  16  of each receptacle  12  and may be angled away from each receptacle  12  such that fluid within each receptacle  12  is retained within each receptacle until a predetermined volume is reached. For example, as liquid is poured into each receptacle  12 , liquid begins to climb up along a surface of the ledge  20 . When the maximum predetermined volume of liquid within the receptacles  12  is reached, the volume of liquid exceeds the height of the ledge  20  and begins to flow into a reservoir  22  positioned proximal to the ledge  20 . Thus, the ledge  20  provides a boundary to ensure that only the predetermined volume of liquid is retained within each receptacle  12  and any additional liquid poured into the receptacles  12  flows into the reservoir  22 . The liquid within the reservoir  22  may then be poured back into a reservoir or bottle, for example, a bottle of alcohol, to be used for future consumption without waste. 
         [0040]    When the volume of liquid within the tray  10  is less than the height of the ledge  20 , the partitions  18  taper inwardly to contact the ledge  20  and facilitate the flow of liquid toward the distal portion  14  of the receptacles  12 . A fill line  42  (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) may be provided to mark the maximum predetermined volume of liquid. In one exemplary embodiment, such as when the tray is translucent, the fill line  42  may be illuminated with an LED light to provide for an accurate manual pour of liquid. 
         [0041]    In another configuration, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the tray  10  may include a cover  40  to seal the liquid within the receptacles  12 . The cover  40  may be a flip-top cover coupled to the tray  10  using a hinge, a plastic wrap, or another suitable type of cover  40  configured to seal liquid within the receptacles  12 . In another exemplary configuration, the distal end  14  of the receptacle  12  may include a tear strip, may be punctured, or may include a removable tab that allows liquid to flow out of the distal portion  14  of the receptacle  12 . 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the invention.