Patent Publication Number: US-6910798-B2

Title: Portable beverage delivery and mixing system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/109,524 entitled PORTABLE BEVERAGE DELIVERY AND MIXING SYSTEM filed Mar. 28, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,134, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/952,623 entitled PORTABLE BEVERAGE DELIEVERY SYSTEM filed Sep. 14, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,757, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/414,617 entitled PORTABLE BEVERAGE DELIVERY SYSTEM filed Oct. 8, 1999, now abandoned, the entirety of the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 

   STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
   (Not Applicable) 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates in general to beverage packaging and dispensing, and in particular to a portable beverage delivery system wherein one component, non-limitedly exemplified as liquor, of a multi-component beverage, non-limitedly exemplified as a cocktail, can be maintained separately from one or more other components, non-limitedly exemplified as a carbonated mixer, for subsequent combination to form the multi-component beverage within the delivery system and provide dispenser-delivery therefrom upon call. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In general, beverages can be divided into single-component and multi-component products. Examples of the former include soft drinks such as various colas, soda, root beer, water, coffee, tea, wine, beer, etc., while examples of multi-component products include alcoholic drinks containing liquor and mixer such as bourbon and soda, scotch and water, rum and cola, etc. The latter products typically contain a relatively small amount of liquor and a relatively large amount of mixer. 
   Because governmental taxation of a packaged alcoholic product such as a bottle of liquor is based on the volume of the bottle as opposed to weight or concentration of liquor present, beverage producers cannot afford to sell pre-mixed cocktails since, even though a packaged cocktail container may contain only one ounce of liquor and seven ounces of mixer, taxation would be based on the total of eight, and not one, ounces of liquor. Consequently, a consumer is forced to inconveniently transport at least two separate containers (e.g. liquor and mixer) when taking refreshments to an outside function, and must thereafter locate accommodations that permit a proper mixing and serving procedure. Especially with outdoor functions, such accommodations many times are not available, thereby precluding availability of mixed-beverage products. 
   In view of the above hindrances, it is apparent that a need is present for convenient, yet equitably priced, packaging that allows carriage of separate components of a multi-component beverage, with subsequent integral mixing capabilities as part of the packaging for final production of a mixed-beverage product. In accord therewith, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable beverage delivery system for preparing and delivering a multi-component beverage through interaction of components separately maintained until final beverage production occurs. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable beverage delivery system that includes a mixing chamber into which separate beverage components can be introduced and mixed, and from which a resultant multi-component beverage can be controllably dispensed. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable beverage delivery system wherein a separately packaged container bearing one component of a final beverage product can be accommodated. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the description thereof which now follows. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a portable beverage delivery system for preparing and delivering a multi-component beverage whose plurality of individual components can be maintained separately for subsequent combination to form the beverage. First embodiments comprise a housing with a mixing chamber disposed therein for mixing the individual components of the beverage to form the final beverage product. The chamber has a closeable introduction aperture thereto through which the individual components can enter the chamber, and a closeable exit aperture therefrom through which the beverage can be dispensed. Introduction and exit apertures can be separate from each other, or the exit aperture can be constructed to also function as an introduction aperture by permitting introduction of components into the chamber. A compartment is disposed within the housing for carrying a container such as a bottle bearing at least one of the individual components. The housing has an opening in substantial alignment with the exit aperture through which the exit aperture of the container is accessible and through which the beverage can be dispensed. 
   A second embodiment is a two chamber structure for preparing and delivering a multi-component beverage, and comprises a first chamber for containing a first liquid containing at least one component of the multi-component beverage and a second chamber for containing a second liquid containing at least one component of the multi-component beverage. The first and second chambers are separated by a frangible wall, and one chamber has a closeable exit aperture therefrom through which a final beverage product can be dispensed. Rupture of the frangible wall results in mixing of the first and second liquids of the multi-component beverage to form the beverage product which then can be dispensed through the exit aperture. The two-chamber structure can be disposed within a housing that has an opening in substantial alignment with the closeable exit aperture through which the exit aperture is accessible and through which the beverage can be dispensed. 
   Third embodiments comprise a housing with solely one mixing chamber disposed therein for receiving and mixing the individual components of the beverage as those components are introduced separately to form the final beverage product. Such component introduction can be through a dedicated introduction aperture or through the exit aperture which is constructed to also permit introduction of components into the chamber. 
   The portable delivery system here taught thus permits preparation and delivery of a multi-component beverage through interaction of components when desired, yet separately maintains these components until such final beverage production occurs. In this manner a singly-packaged system accomplishes convenient on-site generation of a multi-component beverage which otherwise may not practically be packageable or transportable. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a portable beverage delivery system; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view partially in section of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of a cardboard housing blank of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a portable beverage delivery system; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view partially in section of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a portable beverage delivery system; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view partially in section of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a portable beverage delivery system; and 
       FIG. 9  is perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a portable beverage delivery system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1-3 , a first embodiment of a portable beverage delivery system  10  is illustrated. The system  10  includes a cardboard housing  12 , whose blank is shown in  FIG. 3 , for housing a preferably flexible-walled mixing chamber  14  and providing a compartment  16  within which a container such as a bottle  18  can be retained. As particularly shown in  FIG. 3 , the housing  12  has two opposing side panels  20 ,  22 , a rear panel  24  with a cut-out  26  for hand-carry placement, and a front panel  28 . A generally rectangular portion  30  of the front panel  28  and bridging equidistantly from the front panel  28  to the side panel  22  is cut along its top  32  and bottom  34  borders to thereby be foldable inwardly to provide the wall portions  36 ,  38  of the compartment  16  as shown in FIG.  1 . The front panel  28  additionally has a spout cut-out  40  to accommodate placement of a spout  42  leading from the mixing chamber  14 . The mixing chamber  14  is leak proof and can be constructed of a polymer such as polyethylene. A top opening  44  permits liquid introduction into the chamber  14  upon removal of a conventional friction-fit lid  46 . A standard hand-operable valve spout  42  is situated near the bottom of the chamber  14  to allow controlled exit of liquid from the chamber  14 . 
   In operation, a user of the first embodiment places a mixer-component liquid into the mixing chamber  14  through the opening  44  while maintaining a second liquid component such as liquor within the bottle  18  housed in the compartment  16 . When two-component beverages are wanted, the user pours the liquid component from the bottle  18  into the mixing chamber  14  for blending with the already-present mixer component. Thereafter, the user dispenses the completed beverage through the spout  42  into a glass or other drinking container. If desired, the wall portions  36 ,  38  can be moved outwardly to thereby generally close the compartment  16 , and ice or other source of cold can be placed in the compartment  16  to function as a refrigerant. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  show a second embodiment of a beverage delivery system  100  that includes a cardboard housing  112  for housing a preferably flexible-walled mixing chamber  114  and providing a compartment  116 , constructed in substantially the same manner as the compartment  16  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , within which a container such as a bottle  18  can be retained. A spout cut-out  140  is provided in the housing  112  to accommodate a spout  142  provided to the mixing chamber  114 . The spout  142  has a removable cover  150  in which is provided a hand operable valve  152  to thereby allow controlled passage of liquid from the chamber  114 . In the same manner as the first embodiment earlier described, the mixing chamber  114  is leak proof and can be constructed of a polymer such as polyethylene. 
   In operation, a user of the second embodiment places a mixer-component liquid into the mixing chamber  114  through the spout  142  by removing the cover  150  from the spout  142  after turning the housing generally upside down. A second liquid component such as liquor is maintained within the bottle  18  housed in the compartment  116 . When two-component beverages are wanted, the user pours the liquid component from the bottle  18  into the mixing chamber  114  likewise through the spout  142  by removing the cover  150  from the spout  142  after turning the housing generally upside down. Blending of the two liquids then occurs and the user dispenses the completed beverage through the spout  142  into a glass or other drinking container. If desired, the wall portions  136 ,  138  can be moved outwardly to thereby generally close the compartment  116  as in the first embodiment, and ice or other source of cold can be placed in the compartment  16  to function as a refrigerant. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  show a third embodiment of a beverage delivery system  200  that includes a cardboard housing  212  for housing a two-compartment flexible-walled mixing chamber  214  which is leak proof and can be constructed of a polymer such as polyethylene. As is illustrated, the mixing chamber  214  has two compartments  254 ,  256  separated from each other by a frangible wall  258  rupturable by application of hand pressure against the chamber  214 . Each compartment  254 ,  256  has a respective top opening  259 ,  260  that permits liquid introduction into the compartments  254 ,  256  upon removal of respective conventional friction-fit lids  246 . A single standard hand-operable valve spout  242  is situated near the bottom of the chamber  214  and is accommodated by a spout cut out  240  through the housing  212  to allow controlled exit of liquid. 
   In operation, a user of the third embodiment places a mixer-component liquid into one compartment  254  and a second liquid component such as liquor into the other compartment  256 . When two-component beverages are wanted, the user applies a squeezing hand pressure upon the chamber  214  to thereby rupture the frangible wall  258  and accomplish blending of the liquids. Thereafter, the user dispenses the completed beverage through the spout  242  into a glass or other drinking container. 
     FIG. 8  shows a fourth embodiment of a beverage delivery system  300  that includes a cardboard housing  312  for housing a flexible-walled mixing chamber  314 . The mixing chamber  314  is leak proof and can be constructed of a polymer such as polyethylene. A top opening  344  permits liquid introduction into the chamber  314  upon removal of a conventional friction-fit lid  346 . A standard handoperable valve spout  342  is situated near the bottom of the chamber  314  and is accommodated by a spout cut out  340  through the housing  312  to allow controlled exit of liquid.to allow controlled exit of liquid from the chamber  314 . 
   In operation, a user of the fourth embodiment introduces all components of a desired beverage into the chamber  314  through the opening  344 . Thereafter, the user dispenses the completed beverage through the spout  342  into a glass or other drinking container. 
     FIG. 9  shows a fifth embodiment of a beverage delivery system  400  that includes a cardboard housing  412  for housing a flexible-walled mixing chamber  414 . The mixing chamber  414  is leak proof and can be constructed of a polymer such as polyethylene. A spout  442 , accommodated by a spout cut out  440  through the housing  412 , leads from the chamber  414  and has a removable cover  450  in which is provided a hand operable valve  452  to thereby allow controlled passage of liquid. 
   In operation, a user of the fifth embodiment introduces all components of a desired beverage into the chamber  414  through the spout  442  by removing the cover  450  from the spout  442  after turning the housing generally upside down. The cover  450  is replaced, and the user dispenses the completed beverage through the spout  442  into a glass or other drinking container. 
   As is thus apparent, the portable delivery system embodiments here taught permit preparation and delivery of a multi-component beverage through convenient on-site generation of a multi-component beverage which otherwise may not practically be packageable or transportable. While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.