Abstract:
A beverage dispensing flow control device according to one example includes a body portion, an actuation lever and a sealing gasket. A sealing gasket is securable over the bottom surface of the body and has a bottom surface with a beverage flow aperture and a vent aperture. The apertures are configured to define a maximum flow position when the sealing gasket is rotationally aligned with respect to the body portion such that the beverage flow aperture does not block the flow aperture of the body portion, and a minimum flow position when the sealing gasket is rotationally aligned with respect to the body portion such that the beverage flow aperture blocks at least the majority of the body&#39;s flow aperture while leaving at least a portion of the vent channel unblocked. A plunger is in operable communication with the actuation lever to selectively seal the bottom surface of the gasket.

Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to beverage containers and, more particularly, to a flow control device for controlling the flow of liquid being dispensed from a container. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Beverage dispensers, such as coffee pots, are frequently employed in food service operations, such as at restaurants, to allow servers and customers to dispense a selected volume of beverage into a cup so that the beverage can be consumed. Typical beverage dispensers such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,183, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, generally comprise a receptacle or container portion that holds the beverage and a stopper or lid device that seals the container. The lid can be selectively opened by the user for dispensing by pressing a lever. The container can be insulated or can be configured as a vacuum pot so that the temperature of the beverage in the container can be maintained. 
         [0003]    Drawbacks to typical conventional containers include leakage, difficulty to open/close flow, inability or difficulty in adjusting the flow rate, complexity, reliability, cost, and ease of cleaning. Therefore, there is a need for a beverage container that addresses some or all of these noted deficiencies of the conventional dispensers. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]    The present invention addresses certain deficiencies in the prior art by providing for a device, method and system of selectably dispensing beverages from a container. The dispenser in certain embodiments includes a lid assembly comprising a sealing gasket disposable on a lid assembly and configured to seal against a stopper and to seal the perimeter of the lid assembly so that liquid does not flow out of the container when the dispensing plunger is not engaged. The sealing gasket further defines an aperture that can be selectively aligned with respect to the lid assembly to set a flow rate. This arrangement provides for a reliable seal and smooth steady pouring. The lid assembly can also be configured for quarter turn engagement and disengagement with an opening defined in the top of the container. 
         [0005]    The lid assembly can be used with a variety of container shapes and types, and with a variety of food products, including coffee, tea, water, soda, milk, juice, mixed beverages and other non-viscous liquids and flowable substances. 
         [0006]    A beverage dispensing flow control device according to one example includes a body portion, an actuation lever and a sealing gasket. A sealing gasket is securable over the bottom surface of the body and has a bottom surface with a beverage flow aperture and a vent aperture. The apertures are configured to define a maximum flow position when the sealing gasket is rotationally aligned with respect to the body portion such that the beverage flow aperture does not block the flow aperture of the body portion, and a minimum flow position when the sealing gasket is rotationally aligned with respect to the body portion such that the beverage flow aperture blocks at least the majority of the body&#39;s flow aperture while leaving at least a portion of the vent channel unblocked. A plunger is in operable communication with the actuation lever to selectively seal the bottom surface of the gasket. 
         [0007]    A method of dispensing beverages from a beverage dispenser according to certain embodiments includes disposing a sealing gasket on a lower portion of a lid assembly body while rotationally aligning an indicator on the gasket with a flow rate marking on the lid assembly body, the alignment step blocking none of a beverage dispensing passage in the lid assembly body with a gasket bottom surface in a maximum flow state and the alignment step blocking a majority of a beverage dispensing passage in the lid assembly body with the gasket bottom surface in a minimum flow state. 
         [0008]    The above summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, or describe each embodiment, aspect, implementation, feature or advantage of the invention. The detailed technology and preferred embodiments for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and those to be commented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of a beverage dispenser according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a beverage dispenser according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an exploded side view a beverage dispenser according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view a beverage dispenser according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cap of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a cap of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a lid body upper portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a lid body upper portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of a lid body upper portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a lid body upper portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side cross sectional view along the line indicated in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a lid body upper portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a lid body upper portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a side cross sectional view along the line indicated in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a side view of a lid body upper portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an actuation lever of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an actuation lever of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is an end view of an actuation lever of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is a side view of an actuation lever of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a bottom view of an actuation lever of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a top view of an actuation lever of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a lid body lower portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is a top view of a lid body lower portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  is a bottom view of a lid body lower portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a lid body lower portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0035]      FIG. 27  is a side view of a lid body lower portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0036]      FIG. 28  is a side view of a lid body lower portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0037]      FIG. 29  is a side cross sectional view along the line indicated in  FIG. 28 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 30  is a side view of a lid body lower portion of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0039]      FIG. 31  is a side cross sectional view along the line indicated in  FIG. 30 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a sealing gasket of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0041]      FIG. 33  is a top view of a sealing gasket of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0042]      FIG. 34  is a bottom view of a sealing gasket of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0043]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a sealing gasket of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0044]      FIG. 36  is a side view of a sealing gasket of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0045]      FIG. 37  is a side cross sectional view along the line indicated in  FIG. 36 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 38  is a side view of a sealing gasket of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0047]      FIG. 39  is a side cross sectional view along the line indicated in  FIG. 38 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 40  is a perspective view of a plunger of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0049]      FIG. 41  is a top view of a plunger of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0050]      FIG. 42  is a bottom view of a plunger of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0051]      FIG. 43  is a perspective view of a plunger of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0052]      FIG. 44  is a side view of a plunger of a flow control device according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0053]      FIG. 45  is a side cross sectional view along the line indicated in  FIG. 44 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 46  is a side view of a flow control device in a maximum flow configuration according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0055]      FIG. 47  is a bottom view of a flow control device in a maximum flow configuration according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0056]      FIG. 48  is a side view of a flow control device in an intermediate flow configuration according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0057]      FIG. 49  is a bottom view of a flow control device in an intermediate flow configuration according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0058]      FIG. 50  is a side view of a flow control device in a minimum flow configuration according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0059]      FIG. 51  is a bottom view of a flow control device in a minimum flow configuration according to certain example embodiments. 
       
    
    
       [0060]    While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all combinations, modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0061]    In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to various example embodiments; nevertheless, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, environment, application, or particular implementation described herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodiments are only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , various external views of a beverage dispenser  100  are shown. The dispenser depicted is configured as a coffee pot (also referred to a server and a vessel), however, the dispenser may be configured in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention. The dispenser  100  generally comprises a receptacle or container body  102  having a hollow interior and a lid assembly  104 . 
         [0063]    The dispenser body includes a neck region  103  with an opening in the top to access the interior. A handle  106  extends from the neck and is configured to allow a person to easily grasp the dispenser with one hand and tip the dispenser to pour. Alternatively, the handle  106  can be attached to another portion of the body  102  to accomplish the same purpose. 
         [0064]    The neck region further includes an outwardly extending pouring spout  108 . The pouring spout  108  is configured to shape the liquid exiting the dispenser to that the user can achieve a controlled pour. In particular, the contour of the spout contains the horizontal spread of the liquid during a pour so that the liquid can be controllably introduced to the user&#39;s cup or other chosen receptacle. 
         [0065]    The lid assembly  104  is securable in the opening of the container to close off the interior of the dispenser so that beverage contained therein does not spill out and contaminants do not enter. The lid assembly includes an actuator lever  110 . The lid assembly is configured to be closed to flow when in the steady-state condition (i.e., non-actuated). The user can depress the lever  110  to move the lid assembly into the open or pouring state so that liquid can be dispensed from the dispenser  100 . In one embodiment, the lever  110  extends rearwardly and above the handle so that the user&#39;s thumb can press downwardly on the lever to open the dispenser and pour the liquid contents into a receptacle. A thumb rest  112  can be provided to or defined in a portion of the lever to facilitate thumb traction and placement on the lever for reliable pouring. 
         [0066]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-5 , the various components of a dispenser and dispensing assembly can be seen in various views according to certain embodiments of the invention. Note that the container body  102  is shown in a different configuration compared to the previous embodiment in order to illustrate that the invention can be embodied in containers of many different sizes and shapes. 
         [0067]    The lid assembly  104  comprises a lid cap  114 , an upper body portion  116 , the lever  110 , a lower body portion  118 , a sealing gasket  120 , a circular seal ring  122  and a plunger  124 . The cap  114  is disposed on the top of the upper portion  116  to seal the internals of the lid assembly. However, the cap can alternatively be formed unitarily as the upper surface of the upper portion  116 . The lever  110  is disposed between the upper portion  116  and the lower portion  118 . The gasket  120  fits around a lower portion of the lower body  118  and also extends across the bottom surface thereof except for a flow aperture that the be discussed later herein. The seal ring  122  is disposed in a respective groove  126  defined in the sidewall of the plunger  124 . The plunger is inserted upward into the assembled upper/lower portions until its bottom surface contacts the gasket, thereby forming a seal to prevent the flow of liquid contends unless the lever is depressed to retract the plunger away from the gasket. 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-7 , the cap  114  is shown in further detail. The cap is generally disc-shaped with a slightly convex upper surface  128  and a generally planar bottom surface  130 . The lid can be formed of a different type and/or color material than the remainder of the lid assembly. This allows for the lid to be changed to a different color or bear an indicator of the contents of the particular dispenser. For example, a dispenser containing decaffeinated coffee may be provided with a lid that is tan while regular coffee would be black, stainless or some other color/material; milk could be a white cap, etc. The cap also prevents contaminants from entering the lid assembly if the lid upper body portion  116  has an open center such as that shown in  FIGS. 8-16 . 
         [0069]    The lid body upper portion  116  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 8-16 . The upper portion is generally hoop shaped as defined by the circular sidewall  131  and open center. A bottom apron  132  extends downwardly to mate with the lower body portion  118 . An aperture  134  is defined in the sidewall and is configured to receive the pivot end of the lever  110 . An opposing recess  136  in the apron  132  provides clearance for the lever  110  to extend outwardly when the upper  116  and lower  118  portions are mated. The upper portion  116  can be formed of a rigid plastic or rubber material. The open top of the upper portion can also be formed with a solid surface, thus eliminating the need for a separate cap  114 . 
         [0070]    The lever  110  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 17-22 . The lever is a generally elongated body having a pivot end  138  and an actuating end  140 . The pivot end  138  pivots about a horizontal axis in the pivot holder of the lower portion  116  when the actuating end  140  is pressed downwards by the user via a pair of pivot projections  139 . The downward motion on the end  140  causes a downward protrusion or projection portion  142  to move downward and push the plunger  124  away from its seat on the gasket  120 . The lever  110  also defines a partial apron  144  that is sized and shaped to fill the extents of the recess  136  in the apron  132  of the upper portion when the lid assembly  104  is in the closed state. A thumb rest  112  is defined on the actuating end  140  as mentioned previously. The length of the actuating end portion  140  is defined to provide a comfortable reach for the thumb of a user&#39;s hand while simultaneously gripping the handle  106 . The lever  110  can be formed of a rigid plastic or rubber material. 
         [0071]    The lid body lower portion  118  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 23-31 . The lower portion  118  is generally cup shaped with a plunger channel  146  defined in the center thereof. A circular outer wall  148  defines a generally hollow interior with an open top and a closed bottom  150 . The bottom  150  defines a beverage flow aperture  152  and one or more vent channels  154 . The plunger channel  146  is defined by an internal circular wall  156  extending upwardly from the bottom surface  150 . A lever support  158  extends upwardly from the bottom surface and is located between the outer wall  148  and the inner wall  156 . The lever support includes opposing pivot recesses  160  for receiving respective pivot projections of the lever body. A dispensing aperture  162  is defined in the outer wall  148  for communicating the beverage contents to the spout  108 . The lower portion  118  can be formed of a rigid plastic or rubber material. 
         [0072]    A plurality of thread projections  164  extend outwardly from the outer wall  148 . The thread projections  164  are configured to mate with respective threads defined in a neck of the dispenser body  102  to removably secure the lid assembly  104  to the dispenser body  102 . In one embodiment, the threads  164  are configured for ¼ turn securement. 
         [0073]    One or more vent passages  165  are also defined in the lower portion  118  to communicate between the bottom surface that receives the gasket and with the outer wall  148 . Thus, the passages prevent a vacuum from forming inside of the dispenser&#39;s interior when dispensing the beverage. Such vacuum conditions can cause intermittent flow and may promote spilling. 
         [0074]    The gasket  120  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 32-39 . The gasket generally resembles a circular disc and defines a generally planar bottom surface  166  with a circular wall  168  extending upwardly therefrom. A central aperture  170  is defined in the bottom surface  166  to align in shape and location with the plunger channel in the lower portion  118 . The bottom surface further includes a beverage flow aperture  172  and a vent aperture  174 . The flow aperture can be aligned with the beverage flow aperture  152  of the lower portion  118  to allow a selected beverage flow volume. The vent aperture is sized and located on the bottom surface to align with the one or more vent passages in the lower portion when the gasket is rotationally aligned for a given flow volume as will be described later herein. 
         [0075]    The gasket  120  further defines a retention channel  176  formed internally adjacent the intersection of the circular wall  168  and bottom surface  166 . The channel  176  is sized and located to receive a respective outwardly projecting circular flange  178  defined adjacent the bottom of the lower portion  118 . 
         [0076]    An additional exterior flange  180  extends outwardly from the sidewall (or adjacent the bottom surface) of the wall  168 . The exterior flange  180  extends outward a sufficient distance to contact the inside surface in the opening of the neck of the dispenser body. This contact forms a fluidic seal between by the lid assembly to prevent liquid from escaping the dispenser except through the dispensing channel when the lever  110  is actuated to allow such dispensing. 
         [0077]    The gasket further includes flow rate indicator  182  defined on the outside of the side wall  168 . Also, flow rate markings  184  are disposed on the outside surface of the outer sidewall  148  of the lower portion  118 . The flow rate marking can be presented as a gauge like that show in the figures that indicates both a maximum flow alignment position and a minimum flow alignment position. 
         [0078]    The respective indicators and markings  182  and  184  allow the user to rotationally align the indicator  182  with the flow rate markings to achieve a desired flow rate of beverage dispensing. The flow rate can be changed by removing and re-installing the gasket, or by rotating the gasket until the indicator  182  aligns with the desired flow rate setting indicated by the markings  184 . This feature will be described further herein below. 
         [0079]    The gasket is preferably formed of a resilient rubber or silicone material to maintain shape and provide good sealing characteristics. The gasket performs multiple simultaneous functions, including sealing the open top of the container, sealing the bottom surface of the lower body and defining the dispensing flow rate. Also, the seal can be easily removed and replaced if it becomes damaged or worn. This feature reduces replacement parts cost, extends useful life of the dispenser device and improves cleanability. 
         [0080]    The seal ring  122  is configured and sized to be secured in the groove in the sidewall of the plunger  122 . The seal ring includes an outwardly extending sealing surface as can be seen in  FIG. 4 . The sealing surface seals the gap between the plunger body and the inner wall  156  defining the plunger channel  146  of the lower body portion  118 . The seal ring  122  thus prevents contents of the dispenser from entering the lid assembly through the plunger channel  146 . Thus, leaks do not occur and the lever is not fouled with the beverage contents. Also, contaminants cannot reach the contents of the dispenser. 
         [0081]    The plunger  124  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 40-45 . The plunger comprises a cylindrical body  186  disposed on a planar disk base or portion  188  at one end. A plurality of resilient finger portions  190  extend axially and radially outwardly from the opposing end of the cylindrical body. The fingers  190  can be curved to accomplish such extension as shown in the drawings. A cam surface defined at the end of the cylindrical body opposite the disk  188  is either flat or slightly concave in order to be contacted by the projection portion  142  of the lever  110 . The disk portion  188  defines an upwardly facing sealing surface  192  that can also be slightly concave as best seen in  FIG. 45 . The plunger can be unitarily formed of a rigid plastic or rubber material. An interior portion  193  of the cylinder can be hollow to reduce material cost and weight. 
         [0082]    The outer edge  194  of the sealing surface contacts the bottom surface  166  of the gasket  120  to form a fluid tight seal. The resilient fingers  190  extend upwards into the plunger channel  146  and spread outwardly beyond the end of the channel  146  inside of the lower body portion  118 . This arrangement retains the plunger in the sealed position against the gasket until the lever  110  is pressed to push the plunger downwards to retract from contact with the gasket. Thus beverage is allowed to flow outwards through the dispensing channel. 
         [0083]    In use, the components of the lid assembly are assembled as indicated in  FIGS. 4-5 . The rotational alignment of the gasket  120  with respect to the lower body portion  118  can be set to define a maximum dispensing flow rate as will be described in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 46-51 . 
         [0084]    Referring to  FIGS. 46-47 , the lid assembly  104  indicates that the gasket  120  is aligned for a maximum flow rate. The indicator  182  on the gasket is disposed adjacent to the fattest portion of the flow rate marking  184  on the lower body portion  118 . The tapered shape of the marking  184  is a visual indicator to the user of the relative minimum to maximum flow rate range of gasket alignments. Aligning the gasket in the maximum flow position corresponds with the flow aperture  172  of the gasket blocking no portion of the inlet to the beverage flow aperture  152 . Also, the vent aperture  174  in this alignment blocks no portion of either vent channel  154 . Thus maximum flow and venting can be permitted when the user depresses the lever  110 . 
         [0085]    Referring next to  FIGS. 48-49 , an intermediate flow rate alignment is illustrated. Here the indicator  182  on the gasket is disposed adjacent to the approximate middle of the flow rate marking  184  on the lower body portion  118 . This approximate middle rate position corresponds with the flow aperture  172  of the gasket blocking approximately half of the inlet to the beverage flow aperture  152 . Also, the vent aperture  174  in this alignment blocks one of the two vent channels  154 . Thus intermediate flow and venting can be permitted when the user depresses the lever  110 . It should be noted that the flow rate can be set at any position between the maximum and minimum positions, not just the middle intermediate position shown and described herein. 
         [0086]    Referring now to  FIGS. 50-51 , a minimum flow rate alignment is illustrated. Here the indicator  182  on the gasket is disposed adjacent to the smallest end of the flow rate marking  184  on the lower body portion  118 . This minimum rate position corresponds with the flow aperture  172  of the gasket blocking most (e.g. 75%) of the inlet to the beverage flow aperture  152 . Also, the vent aperture  174  in this alignment leaves one of the two vent channels  154  unblocked so that there is adequate venting. Thus minimum flow can be permitted when the user depresses the lever  110 . 
         [0087]    It should be noted that the apertures  172  and  174  can be configured in additional embodiments to permit alignment such that anywhere between 0% and 100% flow rate can be set by rotational alignment of the gasket  120  with respect to the lower body portion  118 . 
         [0088]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover, features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed and matched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein) without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0089]    For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.