Patent Publication Number: US-10777035-B1

Title: Beverage dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/519,452, filed on Jul. 23, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/617,519, filed on Jun. 8, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/347,264, filed Jun. 8, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a dispenser for beverages in containers, such as in cans and bottles. Conventional dispensers such as vending machines typically require electrical power for refrigeration and coolers require users to open, find and retrieve a beverage from storage, such as from ice. There is a need for an easy-to-use and easy-to-set-up dispenser that can both keep beverages chilled while individually dispensing a canned (or bottled) beverage to a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a dispenser for cans (or bottles in other embodiments), such as beer cans, that includes a space to be filled with ice and an internal track ramp that holds a desired number of cans (e.g. 60 cans). The track ramp is inclined and descends to a dispensing slot at the bottom of the dispenser, and gravity causes a new can to move to the slot as gravity pulls the cans to roll down the ramp when a can is removed. 
     In embodiments a dispenser of the invention may be constructed of styrene or metal. In other embodiments the dispenser may be constructed of plastics, polymers and other materials. The dispenser may be assembled by end user from product components or may be pre-assembled for use by an end user. In some embodiments a dispenser of the invention may be loaded, and re-loaded, with beverages, such as canned beverages, by the user. In other embodiments, a pre-assembled dispenser of the invention may include beverages, such as canned beverages, pre-loaded (i.e. pre-packaged, such as from 24 to 60 beverage cans, and preferably about thirty-six (36) to forty-eight (48) twelve ounce beverage cans) in the dispenser when it is purchased or otherwise obtained by a user for dispensing beverages. 
     In further embodiments a dispenser of the present invention may be provided in a beer keg-type shape, and may include handles for transporting the dispenser. 
     In some embodiments, beverage containers may be dispensed near a bottom dispensing hole of the dispenser. In other embodiments, a plunger may be used to pull up a beverage container from a bottom area of the dispenser to the top of the dispenser into a top dispensing location. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a partial cutaway perspective view of a beverage dispenser in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser having a dual track assembly in a 36-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a track assembly of a beverage dispenser in a 36-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of a track assembly of a beverage dispenser in a 36-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a dual track assembly of a beverage dispenser in a 36-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a top plan view of a beverage dispenser having a dual track assembly in a 36-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a front plan view of a beverage dispenser having a dual track assembly in a 36-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5C  is a side plan view of a beverage dispenser having a dual track assembly in a 36-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a 4-track assembly, ice liners, outer shell and roller mechanism of a beverage dispenser in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a 4-track assembly, ice liners, and roller mechanism of a beverage dispenser in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic illustration of a multi-option escapement roller mechanism for a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a schematic illustration for a first option of the multi-option escapement roller mechanism of  FIG. 9A  that includes an individual hand-operated upper roller and an individual hand-operated lower roller for a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9C  is a schematic illustration for a second option of the multi-option escapement roller mechanism of  FIG. 9A  that includes an upper roller and a lower roller joined by a gear system for a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a 4-track assembly of a beverage dispenser in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11A  is a top plan view of a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a front plan view of a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11C  is a side plan view of a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly and a hexagonal outer shell in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12B  is a top plan view of a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly and a hexagonal outer shell in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12C  is a front plan view of a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly and a hexagonal outer shell in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly and a round outer shell in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13B  is a top plan view of a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly and a round outer shell in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13C  is a front plan view of a beverage dispenser having a 4-track assembly and a round outer shell in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser in a top unload embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of dual track assemblies, dual plungers, ice liners, blockers, blocker springs, outer shell and hopper of a beverage dispenser in a top unload embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16A-16C  are internal perspective views illustrating operation of a plunger to dispense a beverage container at an upper hopper of a beverage dispenser in a top unload embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17A  is a top plan view of a beverage dispenser with dual tracks in a top unload embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17B  is a front plan view of a beverage dispenser with dual tracks in a top unload embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17C  is a side plan view of a beverage dispenser with dual tracks in a top unload embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , in one embodiment of the invention, a beverage dispenser  10  has outer shell  50  with walls that provide a beer keg-type outer shape. Inside the outer shell  50 , a spiral, ramp or similar descending and inclined track assembly  20  winds around a hollow space  25  from the top of the dispenser to a dispensing slot  15  at a lower location (such as near the bottom) of the dispenser. Beverages in beverage containers  5 , such as beer cans (but may include bottles and non-limiting choice of beverages, such as beer, soft drinks, juices, water and the like, and non-limiting materials from which the beverage containers  5  are made such as metal, plastic, glass and the like), are arranged on the track assembly  20  so that gravity acts to cause the beverage containers  5  to move toward the dispensing slot  15  along the track assembly  20  as each beverage container  5  is removed from the slot  15 . In the depicted embodiment, the dispenser  10  includes handles  30  and dispenser components may be constructed of a variety of suitable materials known in the art (including for example styrene, metals, plastics, foamed products, polymers and others) and may be pre-packaged to include beverage containers  5  as sold or otherwise provided to a user for use in the dispenser  10 . It will also be appreciated that a dispenser  10  of the invention may also be loaded or re-loaded with beverage containers  5  by a user, including, for example, a wall of the dispenser  10  being hinged or detached for placement of beverage containers  5 , a loading hole provided near a top of the dispenser  10  and adjacent to an upper portion of the track assembly  20  to insert beverage containers  5 , and turning the dispenser  10  upside down to load it from the dispensing slot  15  and then returning the dispenser  10  to a “right-side” up position with the dispensing slot  15  at or near a bottom surface of the dispenser  10 . 
     In embodiments of the invention, the hollow space  25  of the dispenser  10  is filled with ice, ice packs and the like, to chill the beverages on the ramp that are adjacent to the ice-retaining space. In one depicted embodiment, the hollow space may be provided as single-central ice holding space around which the track assembly  20  wraps. In some embodiments a cap or cover is provided to cover an opening of the ice-holding space  25 . In further embodiments, the ice-holding space  25  may be constructed of, or include a liner of, water-resistant material to resist and limit the effects of water and melting ice on the dispenser components. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a beverage dispenser  10  having an internal dual track assembly  20  is shown in a 36-can embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment two tracks are provided for beverage containers  5  to be dispensed at the dispensing slot  15  with rollers  100  connected to one or more escapement holders  400  ( FIG. 4 ). As a roller  100  is turned, a beverage container  5  is moved until it reaches an open position at the dispensing slot  15 . In the depicted dual track embodiment, beverage containers  5  are dispensed side-by-side according to the construction of the escapement holders  400 . In this depicted embodiment, one escapement holder  400  holds a beverage container  5  for next release by turning roller  100 , wherein beverage containers  5  may be alternately dispensed on one side (from the first track) and then the other side (from the second track). In other embodiments, containers  5  may be dispensed together in a simultaneous manner depending on construction of the escapement holder  400  or multiple escapement holders  400 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a track assembly  202  is shown to include a first side wall  210  and second side wall  215 . Between side walls  210  and  215  are positioned a first track ramp  200  and complementary second track ramp  205 . In the depicted embodiment, the track ramps  200  and  205  include tabs  220  that fit into tab slots  225  of the side walls  210  and  215 . The tabs  220  may fold to hold the track ramps  200  and  205  in the desired configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a dual track assembly  201  that includes 2 track assemblies  202  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  is shown for a beverage dispenser  10  in a 36-can embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5C , a beverage dispenser  10  having a dual track assembly  201  in a 36-can embodiment of the present invention is shown. In such embodiment, four ice liner openings  300 ,  301 ,  302  and  303  surround the dual track assembly  201 . Ice may be provided into each ice liner opening to keep the beverage containers  5  on the dual track assembly  201  cold. As shown in  FIG. 5B , dispensing slot  15  may include two dispensing areas  16  and  17 , each corresponding to a track, such as shown side-by-side. In one embodiment of  FIGS. 5A-5C , dispenser  10  may include the following dimensions: (A) diameter of 16.13 inches, (B) height of 24.88 inches, and (C) dispenser slot base height from ground of 1.55 inches. It will be appreciated that such dimensions are non-limiting, and a dispenser  10  may be constructed with other dimensions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a beverage dispenser  10  in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention is shown. With further reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the depicted 48-can embodiment includes a 4-track assembly  204  with four dispenser escapement holders  116 ,  117 ,  118  and  119 . The 4-track assembly  204  provides four tracks made up of a pair of four track ramps  200 ,  205 ,  207  and  209 , as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 10 , that provide two track ramps in a side-by-side configuration (for a total of four tracks or track ramps). The tracks are connected between respective pairs of side walls  210  and  215  and  216  and  217  ( FIGS. 7 and 10 ). 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a 48-can embodiment of the present invention with a 4-track assembly  204  includes four ice liners  700 ,  701 ,  702  and  703  with corresponding ice liner openings  300 ,  301 ,  302  and  303 . The ice liners hold ice and melted water. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C , dispensing of beverage containers  5  from a 4-track assembly  204 , a multi-option mechanism  610  ( FIG. 9A ), i.e. either of the options of  FIGS. 9B and 9C  may alternatively be utilized, for operation the four escapement holders  116 ,  117 ,  118  and  119  to dispense containers  5 . 
     A first option  610 A shown in  FIG. 9B  depicts an upper roller  101  connected to escapement holders  118  and  199  and lower roller  102  connected to escapement holders  116  and  117 . As to option  610 A, each roller  101  and  102  may be individually operated by hand twists of the corresponding roller. It will be appreciated that the recessed holding area of each escapement holder retains a beverage container  5  to be dispensed when the container  5  and holding area reach the opening of the corresponding dispensing slot. 
     A second option  610 B shown in  FIG. 9C  depicts a system of gears  600  connecting an upper roller  101  and lower roller  102 . Each 90 degree turn of a knob releases a container  5  from one of the escapement holders  116 ,  117 ,  118  and  119 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A-11C , a beverage dispenser  10  having a 4-track assembly  204  in a 48-can embodiment of the present invention is shown. In such embodiment, four ice liner openings  300 ,  301 ,  302  and  303  surround the dual track assembly  204 . Ice may be provided into each ice liner opening to keep the beverage containers  5  on 4-track assembly  204  cold. As shown in  FIG. 11B , dispensing escapements  116 ,  117 ,  118  and  119  of dispenser slot  15 , each correspond to a track, may be provided side-by-side with two upper and two lower dispensing areas. Such configuration permits up to 4 containers  5  to be dispensed from the 4 tracks. In one embodiment of  FIGS. 11A-11C , dispenser  10  may include the following dimensions: (D) diameter of 19.25 inches, (E) height of 29.50 inches, and (F) dispenser slot base height from ground of 2.50 inches. It will be appreciated that such dimensions are non-limiting, and a dispenser  10  may be constructed with other dimensions. 
       FIGS. 12A-12C  illustrate a hexagonal dispenser  800  with a hexagon shaped outer shell  50  is shown in another embodiment of the invention. In such embodiment, the hexagonal dispenser  800  may include the following dimensions: (G) width of 18.00 inches, (H) length of 16.50 inches, and (I) height of 30.00 inches. It will be appreciated that such dimensions are non-limiting, and a dispenser  800  may be constructed with other dimensions. 
       FIGS. 13A-13C  illustrate a round dispenser  810  with a round outer shell  50  in another embodiment of the invention. In such embodiment, the round dispenser  810  may include the following dimensions: (J) diameter of 19.00 inches and (K) height of 30.00 inches. It will be appreciated that such dimensions are non-limiting, and a dispenser  810  may be constructed with other dimensions. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-17C , an alternative beverage dispenser  820  for dispensing of beverage containers  5  at an upper hopper  905  near a top of the dispenser  820  is shown in a 36-can top unload embodiment of the present invention. A plunger enclosure  910  is integrated with an outer shell  50  to enclose a plunging mechanism that permits lifting a container  5  to an upper dispensing area of the dispenser  820 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , dispenser  820  includes dual track assemblies  920  surrounded by three ice liners  930  that include liner openings  931 ,  932  and  933  ( FIG. 17A ). A pair of plungers  900 , one for each track assembly  920 , are positioned adjacent to a pair of blockers  940  and springs  950 , such as 2 per blocker, below the blockers. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16A-16C , operation of the plungers  900  in a container  5  top unload embodiment of the invention is illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16A , a plunger  900  is shown at rest position. One or more springs  950  hold a blocker  940  in place to retain beverage container  5  on the track assembly  920 . The plunger  900  may include a handle  901 . The blocker  900  may include a container retainer  902  to aid the plunger  900  in retaining a dispensed container as it is moved upward. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16B , plunger  900  is shown in a container  5  load position. Pushing down on the plunger  900 , such as by pushing on handle  901 , pushes blocker  940  downward to compress springs  950  and allow a container  5  to load on to the plunger. In the depicted embodiment the retainer  902  assists to hold the container on the blocker  940  as it moves with the plunger. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16C , plunger  900  is shown in a container  5  release position. Pulling up the plunger  900 , such as by pulling on handle  901 , pulls up the container  5  held on the plunger  900  to release on to the upper hopper  905  for dispensing. The plunger  900  may be released to fall back into the resting position shown in  FIG. 16A . 
       FIGS. 17A-17C  illustrate dispenser  820  including plungers  900  in the upper dispensing embodiment of the invention. In such embodiment, the dispenser  820  may include the following dimensions: (L) diameter of 16.13 inches, (M) height of 26.88 inches and (N) width including plunger housing  905  of 16.69 inches. It will be appreciated that such dimensions are non-limiting, and a dispenser  820  may be constructed with other dimensions. 
     Various embodiments of the invention have been described. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the exemplary embodiments as set forth in the claims. This specification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.