Abstract:
A bar gun having a configurable display is disclosed. The bar gun includes a housing portion having an internal cavity. A mixing mechanism is disposed in the internal cavity and is in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid lines. A spout having an opening is in fluid communication with the mixing mechanism to discharge fluid received from the mixing mechanism. The configurable display is coupled with the housing. The configurable display can include a display window and an illumination source configured to emit illumination to back light the display window. The configurable display can also include an electronic display.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/053,501, entitled “Illuminated Beverage Dispensing Devices,” filed Mar. 21, 2008; which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/896,821, filed Mar. 23, 2007, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/361,127, entitled “Illuminated Bar Gun,” filed May 5, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to beverage dispensers, and more specifically to illuminating the beverage dispenser or portions thereof. 
     Hand held bar guns that mix liquids from several components into one beverage are known in the restaurant industry. One such bar gun system is described in the assignee&#39;s patent application No. 60/989,611, entitled: “Beverage Dispensing Apparatus with Butterfly Plates and Molded Cluster Bearings,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. A feature of the apparatus of the 60/989,611 application is a pair of mating recess areas in the upper and lower housing parts of the bar gun. The recess areas form a cavity where the fluid mixing apparatus is contained. The ingredients of the beverage arrive through several valve controlled inlet tubes. As the ingredients mix in the bar gun handle, they are released through the beverage outlet spout. Another bar gun system is described in the assignee&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,449, entitled: “Beverage Dispensing Apparatus,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. When it is not necessary to mix the beverage prior to dispensing, handles that open and shut beverage container valves (typically beer containers) are used in the restaurant industry. However, the existing bar guns and handles lack good visibility needed by the operator and a visual appeal for the customers. 
     There is therefore a need for a bar gun or a beverage dispensing handle which is more visible, and therefore easier to operate for the operator, while also creating additional appeal and attractiveness for the customers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed toward an illuminated hand-held beverage dispensing device, for example, a bar gun or a handle. Such an illuminated bar gun or a handle can be used to improve visibility, to enhance brand identification, to increase the attraction of a particular beverage, and for novelty purposes. Different types of illumination sources, for instance rope lights or LEDs, may be placed inside the modified bar gun or the modified beverage handle housing. A variety of light effects may be used to enhance the visibility, illumination, and attractiveness of the bar guns and handles. Some examples are lights that blink, flash, or are animated. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides an illuminated bar gun, having a first housing portion; a second housing portion dimensioned to connect with the first housing portion and form a unitary body; a recess formed in one or both of the first and second housing portions; and an illumination source fitted within the recess. 
     In one aspect, the illumination source may be a constant, a blinking, a flashing, or an animated display of light, or some combination thereof. 
     In another aspect, the illumination source of the illuminated bar gun may be a light rope or LED, or some combination thereof. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides an illuminated beverage dispensing handle, having a first portion and a second portion; cavities formed in the first portion and a recess formed in the second portion; and an illumination source fitted inside the cavity, the recess, or both. 
     In one aspect, the illuminated beverage dispensing handle has a recess fitted with one or more LEDs near the bottom of the handle. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a bar gun having a configurable display that can be used to, for example, display a lighted logo for point of sale advertising. The bar gun includes a housing portion having an internal cavity. A mixing mechanism is disposed in the internal cavity. A plurality of fluid lines supplies a corresponding plurality of fluids to the mixing mechanism. The mixing mechanism discharges mixed fluid to a spout. The configurable display is coupled with the housing. 
     In one aspect, the housing is constructed from first and second housing portions. The first and second housing portions are dimensioned to connect with each other to form a unitary body. The first and second housing portions can be molded and then ultrasonically welded together. Each of the first and second housing portions can also be made by a machining process from a solid block and then bonded together. 
     In another aspect, the configurable display includes a display window and an illumination source configured to emit illumination to back light the display window. For example, the display window can include at least one of a transparent portion or a translucent portion. The illumination source can be coupled with the housing. The display window can be removable and replaceable with another display window. The housing can define an aperture in which the display window is retained. The display window can advertise a product. The illumination source can be a constant light, a blinking light, a flashing light, an animated display of light, and/or a combination thereof. 
     In another aspect, the configurable display includes an electronic display. For example, the electronic display can include a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an electroluminescent display (ELD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a liquid crystal display (LCD) and/or a organic light-emitting diode display (OLED). 
     For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary exploded view diagram showing a bar gun with an illumination cord or rope. 
         FIG. 2  is an assembled view diagram corresponding to the illuminated bar gun device of  FIG. 1 , showing the illumination rope in the translucent housing of the bar gun. 
         FIG. 3A  is an exemplary diagram showing a dispensing handle with the illumination cord fitted in. 
         FIG. 3B  is an exemplary exploded diagram showing a dispensing handle with LEDs embedded in the handle. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective-view illustration of a bar gun having a configurable display. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed toward methods for illuminating and an illuminated hand-held beverage dispensing device (e.g., a bar gun or a dispensing handle). Such an illuminated dispensing device can be used to improve device visibility, enhance brand identification, increase the attraction to particular beverage, and for novelty purposes. 
     When a beverage dispensing device is illuminated in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention it can provide for novel brand recognition associated with the dispensing device. In addition, an illuminated beverage dispensing device can draw attention to the device through the use of one or more illumination sources. The illumination of the dispensing device also helps the operator to locate and grab the device. The sources of illumination can include light emitting diodes (LED), or electro-luminescent illumination devices (e.g. electro-luminescent rope), either of which can provide an illumination that can be constantly on, flashing, sequencing, or having animated display elements. Electro-luminescent ropes and LEDs are widely available on the market. Some examples are electro-luminescent ropes from the Light Rope family of products by Light Beam Industries, Eugene, Oreg. The same company markets LEDs through their Illuminator family of products. Many other suppliers are available. 
       FIG. 1  is a an exemplary exploded view diagram showing a bar gun  1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 1 , bar gun handle  2  has first housing portion  11  and second housing portion  10 . At least one of the two housing portions is recessed to receive an illumination source. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the first housing portion  11  includes a recess  19 , that is dimensioned to receive an electro-luminescent rope  14 . Bar gun handle  2  can be made by molding the first and second portions and then ultrasonically welding the portions together. Alternatively, bar gun handle  2  can be made by a machining process from solid blocks and then assembled by bonding the first and second portions. 
     The beverage is mixed in fluid mixing mechanism  15 , which is placed in the bar gun handle cavity. Fluid mixing mechanism consists of hoses, valves, and mixing chambers. The beverage ingredients are transported to handle  2  through a bundle of hoses which are routed inside conduit  17  and handle tail  13 . This bundle of hoses terminates in the wall of connectors  16 . A mating set of liquid connectors that is placed inside handle  2  plugs into connectors  16 , and transports beverage ingredients to fluid mixing mechanism  15 . The mixed beverage is discharged through opening  18  on spout  12 . 
     An illuminating rope is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that LEDs or similar low power light source can also be used as a source of illumination. The electrical power for source of illumination  14  may be routed through conduit  17  or the wires may be attached on the outside of conduit  17 . Preferably, source of illumination  14  can be powered by a low voltage power source, i.e. 12-24 V DC. A wall mounted converter may be conveniently located under the serving counter to convert 115 V AC line voltage down to 12-24 V DC. Alternatively, source of illumination  14  may be powered by a battery placed inside the handle cavity, or inside conduit  17 , or attached onto the bar gun. 
       FIG. 2  is an assembled view diagram corresponding to the illuminated bar gun device of  FIG. 1 , showing illumination rope  14  through the housing portions  11  and  12  of the bar gun. One or both of housing portions  11  and  12  may be made translucent for the desired visual effect. The bar gun is operated by depressing fluid mixing buttons  30  on handle  2 .  FIG. 2  also shows recess  31  near the distal end of the bar gun. The recess can receive branding labels that can attain extra visibility by the illumination from within the bar gun housing. Alternatively, or in addition, the internal recess in the bar gun housing can hold LEDs that can be configured to direct their light down toward nozzle  12  at the distal end of the bar gun. In such a case it may be advantageous to also use a translucent nozzle portion to better accommodate the transmission of the light from the LED or light rope from within the housing out toward its outside portion. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is directed toward an illuminated dispensing handle. Such an illuminated dispensing handle can be used to improve handle visibility, enhance brand identification, increase the attraction of a particular beverage, and for novelty purposes. An illuminated dispensing handle can be used to draw attention to the specific brand associated with the dispensing faucet lever (e.g., tap handle) through one or more sources of illumination such as electro-luminescent ropes or LEDs that use constant, a blinking, a flashing, or an animated display of light. 
       FIG. 3A  is an exemplary diagram of an illuminated dispensing handle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  shows handle  50  that includes one or more cavities  52  configured to receive illumination sources  51 . Handle  50  is attached to the beverage valve through collar  54 . Electrical power for illumination source  51  may be provided by conductor wires  53 . Alternatively, electrical wires may be attached to collar  54  or handle  50  externally, and then routed to illumination source  51  through the openings drilled on handle  50  or collar  54 . Instead of an external source of electrical power, a battery can be mounted inside the handle to provide the required power for illumination source  51 . 
       FIG. 3B  is an exemplary exploded diagram showing another embodiment of an illuminated dispensing handle. Handle  50  has first portion  67  and second portion  68 . First portion  67  may have one or more cavities dimensioned to receive an illumination source. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the first and second handle portions include complementarily shaped structure to engage one-another into a unitary body. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the recess on the top of second portion  68  is dimensioned to engage protrusion formed in first portion  67 . Recess  61  in second portion  68  is dimensioned to receive one or more LEDs  62 , which are used to illuminate the dispensing handle. (LEDs  62  are shown above recess  61  in  FIG. 3B . When LEDs  62  are assembled in handle  50 , they are housed inside recess  61 .) Dispensing handle  50  may have marking, engraving, or writing  63  containing words or symbols which are illuminated by LEDs  62 , thus enhancing visual appeal of the handle. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective-view illustration of a bar gun  70  having a configurable display  72 . The configurable display  72  can be used to, for example, provide point of sale advertising. In many embodiments, the bar gun  70  includes a housing  74  to which the configurable display  72  is mounted. The bar gun  70  employs many components similar to the above-described components of the bar gun  1  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . These similar components are labeled in  FIG. 4  using the same reference numbers used for these components in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As these similar components are described above, a description of these components will not be repeated here. 
     The configurable display  72  can include a display window  76  and an illumination source (not shown) configured to emit illumination to back light the display window  76 . For example, the display window can include at least one transparent portion and/or translucent portion. The display window can be configured to display, for example, display a product logo for point of sale advertising. The housing  74  defines an aperture in which the display window  76  is retained. The display window  76  can be removable and replaceable with another display window. The illumination source can be mounted within an internal cavity of the housing  74  to be positioned to back light the display window  76 . The illumination source can be a constant light, a blinking light, a flashing light, an animated display of light, and/or a combination thereof. The illumination source can be suitable activated. For example, the illumination source can be activated whenever the bar gun is in an operational mode, can be activated whenever any beverage is being dispensed, and/or can be activated whenever one or more specific beverages are dispensed. 
     The configurable display  72  can also include an electronic display. The use of an electronic display (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an electroluminescent display (ELD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode display (OLED)) can provide increased display flexibility. Such an electronic display can be used to display two or more different displays. For example, a first display corresponding to a first product can be displayed for a period of time(s) (e.g., for a first predetermined period of time(s), whenever one or more first specific beverages are dispensed) and a second display corresponding to a second product can be displayed for another period of time(s) (e.g., for a second predetermined period of time(s), whenever one or more second specific beverages are dispensed). 
     As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. These other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.