Abstract:
A measured quantity beverage dispenser that allows for numerous uses simply by replacing a disposable pouch or cartridge prefilled with a specific quantity of beverage. The measured quantity beverage dispenser efficiently and effectively delivers beverage to an end user by maintaining constant pressure within the disposable pouch. The measured quantity beverage dispenser further prevents accidental leaking or dispensing of beverage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to beverage containers and dispensers. More particularly, the present invention relates to beverage dispensing devices that allow for multiple uses and dispense a predetermined quantity of liquid. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   The human body needs to intake two quarts of fluid per day, but the human body can lose up to two quarts of fluids per hour in an active workout. The human body, however, can only intake twenty-four ounces of fluid per hour (eight ounce increments ever twenty minutes) in order to maintain productivity at an optimum level. Any more or less than this amount slows down the human body&#39;s productivity and puts the brain into a fatigued mode. People rarely supplement the human body correctly for the loss of fluids or replenishment of fluids needed for the human body to function in its best mode, especially during an active workout. 
   Packages and bottles for containing and dispensing fluids are well known. Plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and paper boxes are commercial standards for providing users with premeasured quantities of a beverage. Users, however, do not have the option of reusing these commercial containers to redispense premeasured quantities of beverages. Water bottles are recycled countless times to contain and dispense preferred quantities of a beverage. Users, however, must measure out for themselves quantities of the beverage to be dispensed. Often times, the quantities measured out by users are not precise. 
   Another problem with known containers and dispensers is the inability to provide adequate pressure to dispense the beverages quickly and efficiently to the users. Users often must tip or tilt containers and dispensers in order properly dispense beverages. Users may also have to compress containers and dispensers in order to create enough pressure within the walls of the containers and dispensers to properly dispense the beverages. 
   Many commercial containers and water bottles have design or manufacturing flaws that allow for accidental leaking or dispensing of the beverage. Not only is this messy and inconvenient for the users, but it also decreases the amount of beverage available to the user to consume. 
   What is needed is a dispensing system that will easily dispense an appropriate measured quantity of a beverage to allow a user to maintain an appropriate level of bodily fluids in accordance with the absorption capabilities of the human body, especially during an active workout. The dispensing system should maintain constant pressure within the containing vessel in order to efficiently and effectively deliver the beverage to the user. This dispensing system should also be able to prevent accidental leaking or dispensing of the beverage. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems discussed above pertaining to containing and dispensing measured quantities of a beverage. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a measured quantity beverage dispenser that allows for numerous uses by replacing a disposable pouch or cartridge that is prefilled with a specific quantity of the beverage. The present invention provides a user with an efficient delivery of a measured quantity of a beverage, because of constant pressure being maintained within the walls of the disposable pouch or cartridge. The ease of use of the present invention allows the user to maintain optimal hydration without having to interrupt his or her activities. The present invention further decreases the likelihood of the accidental leaking or dispensing of beverage that is associated with many commercial containers and water bottles. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One embodiment of the present invention relates to a measured quantity beverage dispenser comprising: a rigid, reusable vessel; a trigger attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; a mouthpiece attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; a bottom hatch attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; and a nonrigid, disposable pouch for containing a measured quantity of beverage. The trigger further comprises a lever. The nonrigid, disposable pouch further comprises a rigid draw tube connector. The measured quantity beverage dispenser further comprises means for opening and closing the bottom hatch in order to allow a user to insert and remove the nonrigid, disposable pouch. 
   The mouthpiece comprises an upper dispensing portion, a lower dispensing portion, and a spring as a component of both the upper and lower dispensing portions. The upper dispensing portion further comprises an opening to allow beverage to be dispensed to the user. The lower dispensing portion is pivotally coupled to and upwardly depending on the lever of the trigger. The mouthpiece further comprises a rigid draw tube, connected to the upper dispensing portion, for piercing and drawing beverage from the nonrigid, disposable pouch. The mouthpiece further comprises a mouthpiece cap pivotally mounted for covering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to prevent accidental dispensing and for uncovering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to allow the beverage to be dispensed to the user. 
   In this embodiment, the user opens the bottom hatch and inserts the nonrigid, disposable pouch into the rigid, reusable container body. The user then closes the bottom hatch to secure the nonrigid, disposable pouch inside the rigid, reusable container body. The rigid draw tube of the mouthpiece connects to the rigid draw tube connector of the nonrigid, disposable pouch; and at the same time, the rigid draw tube of the mouthpiece pierces the nonrigid, disposable pouch. Vacuum pressure inside the nonrigid, disposable pouch forces the beverage into the space located between the upper and lower dispensing portions. The user moves the mouthpiece cap from a covering position to a position uncovering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to allow the beverage to be dispensed to the user. The user then compresses the trigger. The lever of the trigger pushes the lower dispensing portion upward. The spring compresses, and the upper and lower dispensing portions contract to dispense the beverage through the opening of the mouthpiece. When the upper and lower dispensing portions expand, more beverage is forced into the space located between the upper and lower dispensing portions because vacuum pressure is maintained inside the nonrigid, disposable pouch due to the collapsing walls of the nonrigid, disposable pouch. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a measured quantity beverage dispenser comprising: a rigid, reusable vessel; a trigger attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; a mouthpiece attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; a bottom hatch attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; and a nonrigid, disposable pouch for containing a measured quantity of a beverage. The trigger further comprises a lever. The bottom hatch further comprises a needle for piercing and drawing beverage from the nonrigid, disposable pouch. The nonrigid, disposable pouch further comprises a rigid draw tube connector. The measured quantity beverage dispenser further comprises means for opening and closing the bottom hatch in order to allow a user to insert and remove the nonrigid, disposable pouch. 
   The mouthpiece comprises an upper dispensing portion, a lower dispensing portion, and a spring housed between the upper and lower dispensing portions. The upper dispensing portion further comprises an opening to allow the beverage to be dispensed to a user. The lower dispensing portion is pivotally coupled to and upwardly depending on the lever of the trigger. The mouthpiece further comprises a rigid draw tube running along the inner wall of the rigid, reusable vessel to the needle of the bottom hatch. The mouthpiece further comprises a mouthpiece cap pivotally mounted for covering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to prevent accidental dispensing and for uncovering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to allow the beverage to be dispensed to the user. 
   In this embodiment, the user opens the bottom hatch and inserts the nonrigid, disposable pouch into the rigid, reusable container body. The user then closes the bottom hatch to secure the nonrigid, disposable pouch inside the rigid, reusable container body. The needle of the bottom hatch connects to the rigid draw tube connector of the nonrigid, disposable pouch; and at the same time, the needle of the bottom hatch pierces the nonrigid, disposable pouch. Pressure inside the nonrigid, disposable pouch forces beverage through the rigid draw tube and into space located between the upper and lower dispensing portions. The user moves the mouthpiece cap from a covering position to a position uncovering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to allow the beverage to be dispensed to the user. The user then compresses the trigger, and the lever of the trigger pushes the lower dispensing portion upward. The spring compresses, and the upper and lower dispensing portions contract to dispense beverage through the opening of the mouthpiece. When the upper and lower dispensing portions expand, more beverage is forced into the space located between the upper and lower dispensing portions because vacuum pressure is maintained inside the nonrigid, disposable pouch due to the collapsing walls of the nonrigid, disposable pouch. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a measured quantity beverage dispenser comprising: a rigid, reusable vessel; a trigger attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; a mouthpiece attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; a bottom hatch attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; and a semirigid, disposable cartridge for containing a measured quantity of beverage. The trigger further comprises a lever, and the semirigid, disposable cartridge further comprises a rigid draw tube connector. The measured quantity beverage dispenser further comprises means for opening and closing the bottom hatch in order to allow a user to insert and remove the semirigid, disposable cartridge. 
   The mouthpiece comprises an upper dispensing portion, a lower dispensing portion, and a spring housed between the upper and lower dispensing portions. The upper dispensing portion further comprises an opening to allow a beverage to be dispensed to the user. The lower dispensing portion is pivotally coupled to and upwardly depending on the lever of the trigger. The mouthpiece further comprises a rigid draw tube, connected to the upper dispensing portion, for piercing and drawing the beverage from the semirigid, disposable cartridge. The mouthpiece further comprises a mouthpiece cap pivotally mounted for covering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to prevent accidental dispensing and for uncovering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to allow the beverage to be dispensed to the user. 
   In this embodiment, the user opens the bottom hatch and inserts the semirigid, disposable cartridge into the rigid, reusable container body. The user then closes the bottom hatch to secure the semirigid, disposable cartridge inside the rigid, reusable container body. The rigid draw tube of the mouthpiece connects to the rigid draw tube connector of the semirigid, disposable cartridge; and at the same time, the rigid draw tube of the mouthpiece pierces the semirigid, disposable cartridge. Pressure inside the semirigid, disposable cartridge forces beverage into space located between the upper and lower dispensing portions. The user moves the mouthpiece cap from a covering position to a position uncovering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to allow the beverage to be dispensed to the user. The user then compresses the trigger, and the lever of the trigger pushes the lower dispensing portion upward. The spring compresses, and the upper and lower dispensing portions contract to dispense beverage through the opening of the mouthpiece. When the upper and lower dispensing portions expand, more beverage is forced into the space located between the upper and lower dispensing portions because vacuum pressure is maintained inside the semirigid, disposable cartridge due to the collapsing walls of the semirigid, disposable cartridge. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a measured quantity beverage dispenser comprising: a rigid, reusable vessel; a trigger attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; a mouthpiece attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; a bottom hatch attached to the rigid, reusable vessel; and a semirigid, disposable cartridge for containing a measured quantity of a beverage. The trigger further comprises a lever, and the bottom hatch further comprises a needle for piercing and drawing the beverage from the semirigid, disposable cartridge. The semirigid, disposable cartridge further comprises a rigid draw tube connector. The measured quantity beverage dispenser further comprises means for opening and closing the bottom hatch in order to allow a user to insert and remove the semirigid, disposable cartridge. 
   The mouthpiece comprises an upper dispensing portion, a lower dispensing portion, and a spring housed between the upper and lower dispensing portions. The upper dispensing portion further comprises an opening to allow the beverage to be dispensed to the user. The lower dispensing portion is pivotally coupled to and upwardly depending on the lever of the trigger. The mouthpiece further comprises a rigid draw tube, running along the inner wall of the rigid, reusable vessel to the needle of the bottom hatch. The mouthpiece further comprises a mouthpiece cap pivotally mounted for covering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to prevent accidental dispensing and for uncovering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to allow the beverage to be dispensed to the user. 
   In this embodiment, the user opens the bottom hatch and inserts the semirigid, disposable cartridge into the rigid, reusable container body. The user then closes the bottom hatch to secure the semirigid, disposable cartridge inside the rigid, reusable container body. The needle of the bottom hatch connects to the rigid draw tube connector of the semirigid, disposable cartridge; and at the same time, the needle of the bottom hatch pierces the semirigid, disposable cartridge. Pressure inside the semirigid, disposable cartridge forces beverage through the rigid draw tube and into a space located between the upper and lower dispensing portions. The user moves the mouthpiece cap from a covering position to a position uncovering the opening of the upper dispensing portion to allow the beverage to be dispensed to the user. The user then compresses the trigger, and the lever of the trigger pushes the lower dispensing portion upward. The spring compresses, and the upper and lower dispensing portions contract, to dispense beverage through the opening of the mouthpiece. When the upper and lower dispensing portions expand, more beverage is forced into the space located between the upper and lower dispensing portions because pressure is maintained inside the semirigid, disposable cartridge due to the collapsing walls of the semirigid, disposable cartridge. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C show a representative measured quantity beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C show a representative measured quantity beverage dispenser according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C show a representative measured quantity beverage dispenser  00  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Measured quantity beverage dispenser  00  comprises a rigid, reusable vessel  02 ; a trigger  04 ; and a mouthpiece  06 . Measured quantity beverage dispenser  00  further comprises a nonrigid, disposable pouch  08  shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C . Nonrigid, disposable pouch  08  further comprises a rigid draw tube connector (not shown). 
   Nonrigid, disposable pouch  08  is inserted through a bottom hatch (not shown) into the rigid, reusable vessel  02  by a user. A rigid draw tube  20 , shown in  FIG. 3 , pierces and draws the beverage from nonrigid, disposable pouch  08  into the mouthpiece  06 . When the user compresses trigger  04 , the beverage is dispensed through the mouthpiece  06 . 
     FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C show a representative measured quantity beverage dispenser  01  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Measured quantity beverage dispenser  01  comprises a rigid, reusable vessel  02 ; a trigger  04 ; and a mouthpiece  06 . Measured quantity beverage dispenser  01  further comprises a semirigid, disposable cartridge  10 . Semirigid, disposable cartridge  10  further comprises a rigid draw tube connector (not shown). 
   The semirigid, disposable cartridge  10  is inserted through a bottom hatch (not shown) into the rigid, reusable vessel  02 . The rigid draw tube  20 , shown in  FIG. 3 , pierces and draws the beverage from semirigid, disposable cartridge  10  into mouthpiece  06 . When the user compresses the trigger  04 , the beverage is dispensed through the mouthpiece  06 . 
     FIG. 3  shows the mouthpiece  06  according to the present invention in cross section. Mouthpiece  06  comprises an upper dispensing portion  12 , a lower dispensing portion  14 , and a compression spring  16 . The compression spring  16  is housed between the upper dispensing portion  12  and the lower dispensing portion  14  in a sleeve  17 . The upper dispensing portion  12  further comprises an opening  18  to allow the beverage to be dispensed to a user. The lower dispensing portion  14  is pivotally coupled to and upwardly depending on a lever portion  19  of trigger  04  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  and  2 A- 2 C. Mouthpiece  06  further comprises a mouthpiece cap  22  pivotally mounted for covering the opening  18  of the upper dispensing portion  12  to prevent accidental dispensing and for uncovering the opening  18  of the upper dispensing portion  12  to allow the beverage to be dispensed to the user. 
   The mouthpiece  06  further includes the rigid draw tube  20  that is connected to the upper dispensing portion  12  for piercing and drawing the beverage from either the nonrigid, disposable pouch  08  or the semirigid, disposable cartridge  10  into the space containing the spring  16  and defined by the sleeve  17  between the upper dispensing portion  12  and the lower dispensing portion  14  due to pressure inside the nonrigid, disposable pouch  08  or the semirigid, disposable cartridge  10 . Alternatively, the rigid draw tube  20  runs down the inner wall of the rigid, reusable vessel  02  and connects to a needle on the bottom hatch (not shown). The needle pierces and draws the beverage from one of the nonrigid, disposable pouch  08  or the semirigid, disposable cartridge  10  into the space between upper dispensing portion  12  and lower dispensing portion  14  due to pressure inside the nonrigid, disposable pouch  08  or the semirigid, disposable cartridge  10 . 
   When the user compresses the trigger  04 , the upper dispensing portion  12  and the lower dispensing portion  14  move toward each other and compress spring  16 . The space between the upper dispensing portion  12  and the lower dispensing portion  14  is reduced, causing the beverage to be dispensed from the mouthpiece  06  through the opening  18 . 
   The above invention has been described with specific embodiments, but a person skilled in the art could introduce many variations on these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. The embodiments are presented for the purpose of illustration only and should not be read as limiting the invention or its application. Therefore, the claims should be interpreted commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention.