Abstract:
A beverage container having a pre-salted rim for use with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages provides a plastic beverage container having a rim and a solid substance attached to the rim by a food-grade adhesive. Another embodiment includes a potable beverage solution contained within the plastic beverage container and a seal simultaneously separating the potable beverage solution from the solid substance and forming a seal around the coated rim. A method for producing the beverage container with a pre-coated rim is also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to a beverage container with a pre-salted rim for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the invention provides a beverage container having margarita salt attached to the rim by a food-grade adhesive.  
         [0003]     2. Discussion  
         [0004]     A margarita is an alcoholic drink made, most commonly, from a lime-juice mix combined with measured quantities of tequila and triple sec. Over the last several years, margaritas have gained increased popularity in restaurants, drinking establishments, and homes. Margaritas are served either over ice or frozen. Most restaurants and bars utilize a machine which freezes and stores a quantity of frozen margaritas for easy dispensing into beverage containers. The margarita machine also reduces the time and labor required for a bartender to prepare a margarita.  
         [0005]     Margaritas are commonly served in a beverage container whose rim has been coated with margarita salt, a coarse salt readily available at grocery stores, super markets, and food service companies. The bartender prepares the beverage container by slicing a lime, cutting a wedge from the sliced lime, rubbing the lime wedge around the rim of the beverage container to create a film of lime juice on the rim, and then dredging the juiced rim in a container of margarita salt.  
         [0006]     Whereas the margarita machine reduces the labor to mix the drink, much labor is required to prepare the beverage container. A sharp knife is required to slice the lime, thereby creating an opportunity for an accidental cut. The margarita salt may become contaminated by other substances used behind the bar.  
         [0007]     Margaritas are not the only alcoholic drinks commonly served in a beverage container having a salted rim. A salty dog (grapefruit juice and vodka or other liquor) is commonly served in a beverage container whose rim is salted, and some patrons prefer beer served in a similar container.  
         [0008]     The present invention provides a beverage container having a coating of margarita salt attached securely to the rim by a food-grade adhesive. The pre-salted rim saves time for the bartender, ensures consistency and quality control, and eliminates the potential for contamination of the margarita salt.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container with a pre-salted rim for use in conjunction with frozen margaritas.  
         [0010]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container with a pre-salted rim to reduce the labor required by a bartender to prepare the beverage container.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of production for preparing a beverage container with a pre-salted rim.  
         [0012]     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a view of applicant&#39;s beverage container invention showing margarita salt attached to the rim of the beverage container.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the beverage container invention shown in  FIG. 1  with the bottom portion of the beverage container cut away.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a step in applicant&#39;s method of attaching the margarita salt to the rim of the beverage container.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates another step in applicant&#39;s method of attaching the margarita salt to the rim of the beverage container.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates another step in applicant&#39;s method of attaching the margarita salt to the rim of the beverage container.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates another step in applicant&#39;s method of attaching the margarita salt to the rim of the beverage container.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates another step in applicant&#39;s method of attaching the margarita salt to the rim of the beverage container.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates another step in applicant&#39;s method of attaching the margarita salt to the rim of the beverage container.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  illustrates another step in applicant&#39;s method of attaching the margarita salt to the rim of the beverage container.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the pre-coated rim of applicant&#39;s beverage container invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is another cross-sectional view of the rim of applicant&#39;s beverage container invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  shows a potable liquid contained within applicant&#39;s beverage container invention,  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the rim of applicant&#39;s beverage container invention of  FIG. 12  wherein the margarita salt is generally.  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is another cross-sectional view of the rim of applicant&#39;s beverage container invention of  FIG. 12 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     In the following description of the invention, like numerals and characters designate like elements throughout the figures of the drawings.  
         [0028]     Referring generally to the drawings and more particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a beverage container  30  has a bottom  32  and an upstanding wall  34  having an upper portion  36 . The upstanding wall  34  terminates in a rim  38 . Margarita salt particles  40  are retained on the rim  38  by a coating of food-grade adhesive  42  (See  FIGS. 10-11 ).  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-9 , the process of producing the beverage container with pre-salted rim is shown in detail.  FIGS. 3-5  illustrate the application of the coating of food-grade adhesive  42  to the rim  38  of the beverage container  30 , and  FIGS. 6-9  illustrate the application of the margarita salt particles  40  to the food-grade adhesive coating  42  on the rim  38 .  
         [0030]     Still referring to  FIGS. 3-9  and to  FIG. 3  in particular, the inverted beverage container  30  is moved downwardly along A, thereby causing the rim  38  to approach the surface  44  of a food-grade adhesive coating solution  46  contained in a reservoir  48 .  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the inverted beverage container  30  is directed along A until the rim  38  is uniformly in contact with the surface  44  of the food-grade adhesive coating solution  46 . As a result of the contact between the rim  38  and the food-grade adhesive coating solution  46 , a layer of food-grade adhesive coating  42  is applied to the rim  38 .  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the inverted beverage container  30  is further directed along A until the rim  38  is immersed slightly below the surface  44  of the food-grade adhesive coating solution  46 . The immersion of the rim  38  in the food-grade adhesive coating solution  46  results in application of a coating of the food-grade adhesive solution  46  to the rim  38  of the beverage container  30 . Due to the immersion of the rim  38 , the coating of food-grade adhesive  42  is also applied to the underside  50  of the rim  38 .  
         [0033]     Although the food-grade adhesive coating  46  is referred to for convenience as a solution, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the food-grade adhesive coating  46  solution may also take the form of a colloidal suspension or a gel.  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-9  and to  FIG. 6  in particular, the inverted beverage container  30 , with a still-wet coating  42  of the food-grade adhesive coating solution  46  on the rim  38 , is moved downwardly along B, thereby causing the coated rim to approach the surface  52  of the margarita salt particles  40  contained in a reservoir  54 .  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the inverted beverage container  30 , with a still-wet coating  42  of the food-grade adhesive coating solution  46  on the rim  38 , is directed along B until the coated rim is uniformly in contact with the margarita salt particles  40  contained in the reservoir  54 . As a result of the contact between the still-wet coated rim  38  and the margarita salt particles  40 , a layer of margarita salt  40  is applied to the still-wet coating  42  of food-grade adhesive coating solution  46 .  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the inverted beverage container  30  is further directed along B until the coated rim is immersed slightly below the surface  52  of the margarita salt particles  40 . Contact of the coated rim with the margarita salt particles  40  results in application of a layer of margarita salt  40  to the coated rim of the beverage container  30 . Due to the immersion of the coated rim below the surface  52  of the margarita salt particles  40 , margarita salt particles  40  are also applied to the underside  50  of the coated rim.  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the beverage container  30 , with a layer of margarita salt  40  attached to the still-wet coating  42  of the food-grade adhesive coating solution  46  on the rim  38 , is removed from the margarita salt container  54  as indicated by arrow C and set aside. Within a few minutes, the coating  42  of food-grade adhesive dries, thereby securing the margarita salt particles  40  to the rim  38  of the beverage container  30 .  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a greatly enlarged cross-section of the upper portion  36  of the upstanding wall  34  of the beverage container  30  shows a coating  42  of food-grade adhesive on the rim  38  of the beverage container  30  and a layer of margarita salt  42  attached to the coating  42 . In  FIG. 10 , a relatively thinner coating of margarita salt  40  is shown, consistent with preparation according to the steps illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 11 , a relatively thicker coating of margarita salt  42  on the rim  38  results from preparation according to the steps illustrated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 8 .  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIGS. 12-14 , a ready-to-use beverage serving  60  contains a beverage solution  62  within the beverage container  30 . A seal  64  encloses the outside  66  of the upper portion  36  of the upstanding wall  34  of the beverage container  30 , the coated rim  38  bearing the margarita salt particles  42 , and the inside  68  of the upper portion  36  of the upstanding wall  34  above the surface  70  of the beverage solution  62 . The seal  64  thus separates the beverage solution  62  from the margarita salt particles  40  and the food-grade adhesive coating  42 . The user can freeze the ready-to-use beverage serving  6 Q and then remove the seal  64  for consumption. In the alternative, the user can remove the seal  64  and add ice to the beverage solution  62  for immediate consumption.  
         [0040]     Food-grade substances which can be used to create the food-grade adhesive solution include guar gum, agar, xanthan gum, and gelatin. Guar gum, which is well known in the food industry, is sold as a white to yellowish odorless white powder. Guar gum is available in different viscosities and different granulometries depending on the desired viscosity. Guar&#39;s viscosity is a function of temperature, time, and concentration. One advantageous property of guar gum is that it thickens without the application of heat.  
         [0041]     Xanthan gum is mainly considered to be non-gelling and used for the control of viscosity. It hydrates rapidly in cold water without lumping to give a reliable viscosity. Xanthan&#39;s most important property is its very high low-shear viscosity coupled with its strongly shear-thinning character. The relatively low viscosity at high shear means it is easy to mix, pour, and swallow but its high viscosity at low shear gives good suspension and coating properties  
         [0042]     Like xanthan gum, agar is a hydrocolloid gum commonly used in food and beverage formulations. Agar (also referred to as agar-agar) produces a firm and brittle gel.  
         [0043]     Gelatin has been used in food products for many years. Unlike guar gum and xanthan gum, gelatin normally requires low heat (less than about 140 degrees Fahrenheit) to dissolve (i.e., for hydration and thickening). Commercially available flavored gelatin products found in supermarkets and grocery stores include a preservative such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), an antioxidant which preserves color and taste. If not already available in the gelatin, a preservative should be added to the food-grade adhesive coating solution according to applicant&#39;s invention. Likewise, a preservative should be added if the food-grade adhesive coating solution utilizes guar, xanthan, or agar.  
         [0044]     Some people object to the use of gelatin obtained from animals. A soy-based gelatin-like material has been created from water, fructose, high-gelling soy protein and a carrageenan (a seaweed). Called NuSoy Gel, the vegetable-based gelatin substitute can also be used to secure the margarita salt to the rim of the beverage container.  
         [0045]     Traditional hard candies can also be used for the food-grade adhesive coating, although the high temperatures required to maintain a liquid form prevent the use of hard candy solutions with typical plastic beverage containers.  
         [0046]     The beverage container  30  illustrated herein can be plastic, glass, paper, expanded foam, or ceramic. For backyard pool use, plastic, paper, or expanded foam will be preferred due to safety considerations. On more formal occasions, a glass or ceramic beverage container can be used to prepare the beverage container with pre-salted rim.  
         [0047]     The present invention has been described in the context of a beverage container with a pre-salted rim as might be used for margaritas and salty dogs. The present invention also includes beverage containers with other components in the place of margarita salt. Other materials which could be attached to the rim by a food-grade adhesive coating include, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, sugar sprinkles (for children&#39;s drinks), chopped nuts, and a cocoa-sugar mixture (for hot cocoa or coffee).  
         [0048]     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.