Abstract:
A dispensing device for dispensing carbonated beverage from a bottle having a screw-on cap, includes a body having a cap-engaging aperture, the cap-engaging aperture having able to engage the screw-on cap of the bottle to unscrew the cap in a bottle-inverted orientation for dispensing. According to one embodiment, the body comprises a concave member with a concave side and a convex side and having the cap-engaging aperture in a central region thereof, the concave side providing a collection area for beverage dispensed from the bottle and the concave member having at least one through opening for draining the beverage from the curved member. An alternate embodiment provides a handled dispensing device. A further embodiment provides a concave member that is formed with or fixed to the bottle cap.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/806,243, filed Mar. 28, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application 61/818,672, filed May 2, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Carbonated beverages are desirable because CO 2  enhances the taste of the beverage. During typical dispensing of a carbonated beverage, when the cap is removed the carbonated headspace above the beverage within the container is released to the atmosphere and the equalized pressure in the carbonated beverage also releases carbonation to the atmosphere. After each use, the bottle is recapped and some of the carbonation from the beverage equalizes with the pressure in the headspace above the liquid. Each time the bottle is opened, more CO 2  is released from the bottle before the beverage is dispensed into a glass. 
         [0003]    After repeated uses, the CO 2  pressure in the remaining beverage is reduced to zero or near zero and, in the beverage industry term, the beverage goes flat. It is not desirable to utilize flat or nearly flat carbonated beverages which are typically discarded. 
         [0004]    The present inventor has recognized the desirability of providing a method and device for prolonging the carbonation of beverages contained in bottles where the bottles must be opened to dispense the beverage into a glass or the like. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The invention provides a dispensing device for dispensing carbonated beverage from a bottle having a screw-on cap that can include a body having a cap-engaging aperture, the cap-engaging aperture able to engage the screw-on cap of the bottle to unscrew the cap in a bottle-inverted orientation for dispensing. A shroud or other body is provided to direct the dispensed beverage into a glass located below the device. 
         [0006]    The invention provides a method of dispensing carbonated beverage from a bottle into a glass that includes the steps of: 
         [0007]    providing a dispensing device that includes a cap-engaging aperture for receiving a bottle cap that seals the bottle; 
         [0008]    engaging the bottle cap with the cap-engaging aperture; 
         [0009]    holding the bottle inverted over a glass; 
         [0010]    relatively rotating the dispensing device and cap with respect to the bottle to loosen the seal between the bottle and cap and dispensing beverage through the seal and into the glass. 
         [0011]    Further steps include providing a collection area in the dispensing device and providing a drain opening from the collection area into the glass; and 
         [0012]    during dispensing, collecting beverage within the collecting area and draining the beverage into the glass through the drain opening. 
         [0013]    The invention provides a simple way to dispense carbonated beverages from bottles to the user&#39;s glass or other vessel. This invention avoids the typical loss of carbonation from the beverage remaining in the bottle. 
         [0014]    One embodiment of the device is similar in shape to a nut cracker. The device is placed on top of the vessel or glass to be filled. A hole in the end of the device is sized to match the diameter of the outside of the bottle cap. The bottle is turned upside down and the cap inserted into the hole at the end of the on top of the glass. In this configuration, liquid will be dispensed from the bottle while maintaining the pressurized headspace in the bottle. The perimeter outside of the receiving hole for the bottle cap is perforated with holes that allow the liquid to dispense into the glass. A small shroud outside of the dispensing hole pattern forms a small reservoir and allows the liquid to flow into the glass. Two legs protrude back from the head of the device to act like handles. By squeezing the handles, as like a nut cracker motion, the bottle cap is engaged by the invention. The next step involves rotating the bottle relative to the bottle cap. The rotation is limited to weakening but not totally breaking the seal between the bottle and the bottle cap. A measured amount of liquid will flow through the partially opened seal between the bottle and the cap. When the squeeze on the arms is removed, a controlled volume of beverage is dispensed into the glass. Upon adequately filling the glass, the arms are re-squeezed and the bottle is counter rotated, resealing the cap. 
         [0015]    Another embodiment of the invention provides a device similar in shape to a large lens. The device is placed on top of the vessel or glass to be filled. A hole in the center of the device is sized to match the diameter of the outside of the bottle cap. The bottle to be tapped is turned upside down and the cap inserted into the hole at the center of the invention. In this configuration, liquid will be dispensed from the bottle while maintaining the pressurized headspace in the bottle. The perimeter outside of the receiving hole for the bottle cap is perforated with holes or slots that allow the liquid to dispense into the glass. The next step involves rotating the bottle relative to the bottle cap. A measured amount of liquid will flow through the partially opened seal between the bottle and the cap. The dispensed liquid will temporarily collect in the reservoir provided by the shape of the invention and then flow through the holes provided around the outside of the cap. Upon adequately filling the glass, the bottle is counter rotated, resealing the cap. 
         [0016]    A further embodiment of the invention is similar to the second embodiment except that the device is permanently associated with the bottle cap. By producing a bottle cap with the dispensing device integral therewith, the dispensing device can be rotated to open the bottle while inverted onto a glass, beverage in the bottle can be dispensed into the glass, and the device can be counter-rotated to re-close the bottle. 
         [0017]    The embodiments of the invention provide the ability to maintain carbonation in an opened bottle for an extended time. There is a tendency for the consumer that does not consume the volume of a two liter container in a reasonable amount of time, before the beverage goes flat, to purchase the smaller and more expensive 12 ounce containers. Thus, there is a cost savings benefit. An additional benefit is realized because some difficulty is experienced by handicap or elderly people while opening a container. The devices assist in opening the cap similar to the jar opening tool. 
         [0018]    Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dispensing device according to the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  shown in operation dispensing a beverage from a bottle into a glass; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment dispensing device according to the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 3 : 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view taken from  FIG. 6 : 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view taken from  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective inside view of the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view taken from  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a fragmentary perspective view of the dispensing device of  FIG. 3  shown in operation dispensing a beverage from a bottle into a glass; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a alternate embodiments of the dispensing device shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a dispensing device that is integrated with a bottle cap; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the dispensing device of  FIG. 13  mounted on a bottle; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a perspective bottom view of a further embodiment dispensing device according to the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a perspective top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 15 : 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view taken along line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 ; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 17 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of the invention. A dispensing device  20  comprises of two components, the first component being a main body  26  with arms  30 ,  32  connected to a head  33 . The head includes a central hole  34  with a slot  35  between the arms. Squeezing the arms together resiliently decreases the width of the slot  35  and the diameter of the hole  34 . The second component is a shroud  40  being a cylindrical thin walled element. The main body  26  resembles a nut cracker shape. The shroud  40  is attachable to the head  33 . The main head  33  has a narrow circular groove  45  running outside of a plurality of drain holes  46  that surround the central hole  34 . The shroud  40  is inserted in the groove  45 . The main body and the shroud can be composed of plastic and manufactured by injection molding. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows the invention in its operational configuration showing the bottle  52 , the dispensing device  20 , and the receiving vessel, the glass  60 . 
         [0042]    The device  20  is positioned on top of the receiving vessel, glass or cup  60  that will receive the dispensed carbonated beverage. A pin  66  can be fit into the head  33  to help support the device  20  onto the glass  60 . The carbonated beverage container is inverted and the container cap is inserted into the central hole  34 . One hand of the operator clasps the two arms  30 ,  32  while the second hand clasps the top of the carbonated beverage bottle  52 . A first hand squeezes the arms  30 ,  32  to grasp or engage the cap  50  with adequate friction to prevent relative rotation between the head  33  and the cap  50 . The second hand then rotates the bottle slightly to begin dispensing the liquid. The first hand releases the squeeze on the arms which allows the liquid to flow into the reservoir provided by the shroud  40  through the drain holes  46  and into the vessel  60 . Upon adequate dispensing of the liquid into the vessel, the first hand re-squeezes the arms  30 ,  32  and the bottle cap and counter rotates the bottle to tighten the cap onto the bottle. The bottle and device  20  are then removed from the top of the vessel  60 . 
         [0043]    The use of the inverted bottle only allows liquid to be dispensed while maintaining the CO 2  pressurized headspace in the bottle. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 3-11  illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. This device  100  is similar in shape to a large lens, such as the shape of a contact lens. The device  100  includes a concave body such as a curved body  102  to be placed on top of the vessel or glass  60  to be filled. The curved body includes a concave top side  103  and a convex bottom side  104 . A hole  108  in the center of the body  102  is sized to match the diameter of the outside of the bottle cap  50 . The bottle  52  to be drained is turned upside down and the cap  50  inserted into the hole  108  at the center of the body. The hole  108  includes provisions to engage the bottle cap. A perimeter outside of the receiving hole  108  for the bottle cap is perforated with drain slots  111  or holes that allow the liquid to drain into the glass. 
         [0045]    The slots  111  are open into the center hole  108 . The slots  111  define fingers  114  between adjacent slots. Each finger  114  provides a rectangular surface  116  facing toward a center of the hole  108 . There are three parallel, vertical grooves  120  on each rectangular surface  116  that extend from a top of the surface  116  to a bottom of the surface  116 . The vertical grooves are complementary to the ribs present on the bottle cap. When the bottle cap is fit into the hole  108 , at least some of the ribs of the bottle cap mesh with the grooves  120  of the body  102  to fix the bottle cap  50  to the body  102  to prevent relative rotation between the cap  50  and the body  102 . Alternatively to the grooves  120 , the hole  108  can be configured and shaped to resiliently grip the bottle cap to prevent relative rotation therebetween, or the hole  108  can be configured to have teeth to engage the bottle cap  50  to prevent relative rotation therebetween. 
         [0046]    The bottle  52  ( FIG. 11 ) is then rotated relative to the body  102  while the bottle cap  50  is held by the body  102  to prevent relative rotation with respect to the body  102 . The bottle cap ribs are engaged into the vertical grooves  120  to lock the bottle cap to the body to prevent relative rotation between the body  102  and the cap  50 . The rotation direction of the bottle  52  with respect to the body  102  is to loosen the seal between the bottle and the bottle cap. A measured amount of liquid will flow through the partially opened seal between the bottle and the cap. The dispensed liquid will temporarily collect in a reservoir provided by the concave top side  103  of the curved body  102  and then flow through the slots  111  provided around the outside of the cap. Upon adequately filling the glass, the bottle is counter rotated, resealing the cap. 
         [0047]    A benefit from use of the embodiments is the ability to maintain carbonation in an opened or almost opened bottle for an extended time. 
         [0048]    The hole  108  can be sized to receive the cap of a one or two liter carbonated beverage bottle, or the like. A typical bottle cap is tapered from 1.210 inches diameter at the bottom to 1.165 inches diameter at the top. An advantageous clear diameter for the hole  108  can be about 1.185 inches, measured diametrically between rectangular surface  116 . The body  102  can be approximately ¼ of an inch thick. When the bottle cap is inserted into the hole, the bottom of the body can be flush with the top of the cap. 
         [0049]    The back half of each slot  111  is one half of a 0.20 inch diameter hole centered on a 1.8 inch diameter circle. The sides of each slot are on a radius from the center of the body  102 . 
         [0050]    The general shape of the body  102  is similar to a 4 inch diameter contact lens. The shape is a section of an ELLIPSOID. The major horizontal axis is 4.2 inches across. The minor vertical axis is 3.2 inches across. The center of the ellipse is 0.4 inches above the top surface of the body  102 . The upper edge of the body  102  has a 0.03 inch radius on the inside and outside. 
         [0051]    Annular ridges  124  are provided on the convex side  104  of the body  102  to help stabilize the body  102  onto the glass  60 . The ridges help to prevent the body  102  from sliding around on top of the glass. Various size glasses will nest into one of a multitude of ridges  124 . Each ridge can be approximately 0.025 inches deep and 0.050 inches wide. The first ridge begins at 0.3 inches below the upper surface of body  102  and last ridge ends one quarter of an inch from the back of the slots on the center hole. There can be approximately 24 ridges or groves. 
         [0052]    Advantageous dimensions as shown on the drawings (in inches) are: 
         [0000]    A=0.289; B=0.592; C=4.049; F=1.135; G=0.007; H=0.018; I (diameter)=1.185; J=0.411; K (diameter)=0.200; L (diameter)=0.201; M=0.132; N=1.336 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  shows the body  102  placed onto a glass  60  during beverage dispensing from the bottle  52 . A pool  61  of beverage fills a portion of the concave side  102  of the body  102  and drains through the slots  111  into the glass  60 . 
         [0054]    A third embodiment  100 ′ is shown in  FIG. 12 . This embodiment describes a body  102 ′ that is identical to the third embodiment except that the slots or holes  111 ′ are staggered in length away from the central hole  108 . 
         [0055]    A fourth embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . In this embodiment, the devices  100 ,  100 ′ or  300  described herein can be modified to be permanently affixed to, or formed with, the bottle cap, as opposed to being a separate bottle-opening device. Accordingly, a modified dispensing device  200  includes a lens shaped body  201  formed with a cylindrical bottle cap  202  having inside threads  204  to screw on to a bottle. A seal can be provided inside the cap. A plurality of drain holes  210  or slots surround the cap to drain dispensed beverage that accumulates in the body  201  during dispensing. The device  200  is shown screwed onto a bottle  52  in  FIG. 14 . The other features of the devices  100 ,  100 ′ or  300 , such as the annular ridges to nest onto beverage glasses, can be incorporated into the modified dispensing device  200 . 
         [0056]    The device  200  can be sold with the bottle filled with carbonated beverage. It can be manufactured at low cost and discarded with the empty bottle. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 15-20  illustrate a further embodiment of the invention. This device  300  is similar in shape to a large lens, such as the shape of a contact lens. The device  300  includes a concave body such as a curved body  302  to be placed on top of the vessel or glass  60  to be filled. The curved body includes a concave top side  303  and a convex bottom side  304 . A hole  308  in the center of the body  302  can be sized to match the diameter of the outside of the bottle cap  50  of a typical one or two liter carbonated beverage bottle, or the like. The bottle  52  to be drained is turned upside down and the cap  50  inserted into the hole  308  at the center of the body. The hole  308  includes provisions to engage the bottle cap to prevent relative rotation between the body  302  and the cap  50 . A perimeter outside of the receiving hole  308  for the bottle cap is perforated with drain holes  311  that allow the liquid to drain from the concave top side  303  into the glass. 
         [0058]    The center hole  308  provides vertical grooves  320  that extend from the concave surface  303  to the convex surface  304 . The vertical grooves are complementary to the ribs present on the bottle cap. When the bottle cap is fit into the hole  308 , at least some of the ribs of the bottle cap mesh with the grooves  320  of the body  302  to fix the bottle cap  50  to the body  302  to prevent relative rotation between the cap  50  and the body  302 . Alternatively to the grooves  320 , the hole  308  can be configured and shaped to resiliently grip the bottle cap to prevent relative rotation therebetween, or the hole  308  can be configured to have teeth to engage the bottle cap  50  to prevent relative rotation therebetween. 
         [0059]    The bottle  52  is then rotated relative to the body  302  while the bottle cap  50  is held by the body  302  to prevent relative rotation of the cap  50  with respect to the body  302 . The rotation direction is to loosen the seal between the bottle and the bottle cap. A controlled amount of liquid will flow through the partially opened seal between the bottle and the cap. The dispensed liquid will temporarily collect in a reservoir provided by the concave top side  303  of the curved body  302  and then flow through the holes  311  provided around the outside of the cap. Upon adequately filling the glass, the bottle is counter rotated with respect to the body  302 , resealing the cap. 
         [0060]    A benefit from use of the embodiments is the ability to maintain carbonation in an opened or almost opened bottle for an extended time. 
         [0061]    The general shape of the body  302  is similar to a 4 inch diameter “contact lens.” The shape is a section of an ELLIPSOID as per the embodiments of  FIGS. 3-11 . 
         [0062]    Annular ridges  324  are provided on the convex side  304  of the body  302  to help stabilize the body  132  onto the glass  60 . The ridges help to prevent the body  302  from sliding around on top of the glass. Various size glasses will nest in one of a multitude of ridges  324 . Each ridge should be approximately 0.025 inches deep and 0.050 inches wide. There will be approximately 24 ridges or groves. 
         [0063]    Advantageous dimensions as shown on the drawings (in inches) are: 
         [0000]    AA=0.7; BB=0.6; CC=4.2; DD=0.85; FF=1.84; GG (diameter)=0.30; HH (diameter)=1.69; II=1.16; JJ=1.22; KK=0.07; MM=0.06; NN=0.27. 
         [0064]    Advantageously, the body  102  or  102 ′ or  201  or  302  can be formed from clear FDA approved polycarbonate or other plastic material. 
         [0065]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.