Abstract:
A device ( 10 ) for retaining beverage cooling means ( 11 ) within a vessel ( 12 ) is disclosed. The device ( 10 ) comprises a vessel engaging portion ( 14 ) and means ( 16 ) for engaging the beverage cooling means ( 11 ). The vessel engaging portion ( 14 ) comprises biasing means ( 16 ) which biases the means for engaging the beverage cooling means to the base of the vessel ( 12 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a device for retaining beverage cooling means within a vessel. 
         [0003]    2. State of the Art 
         [0004]    It is well known to cool beverages by adding one or more ice cubes to the beverage. However, a disadvantage of this arrangement is that the water from which the ice is made can contain micro-organisms, which can be harmful if ingested with the beverage, as the ice melts. 
         [0005]    Another disadvantage of ice cubes is that, as the ice melts, the water dilutes the beverage and detracts from its overall strength and taste of the beverage. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,230 attempts to overcome the above-mentioned problems by providing a device comprising a sealable cubic housing, into which an ice cube can be placed. In use, one or more of such devices can be frozen and then added to drinks. The ice is contained inside the housing and thus does not contaminate or dilute the beverage as it melts. Following use, the device can be washed and reused. In an alternative embodiment, the body of water is permanently sealed inside the housing and the device itself is frozen prior to use. 
         [0007]    A disadvantage of ice and the above-mentioned device is that they are relatively easy to swallow, particularly as they float on the surface of the beverage. GB2428464 overcomes this problem by providing an arm which engages with the vessel and which is secured to the cooling means, to enable the cooling means to be positioned near to the bottom of the vessel. However, as the beverage is consumed it becomes necessary to reposition the cooling means lower in the vessel so that it remains immersed within the beverage. 
         [0008]    Moreover, the use of the arm is limited to vessels having a particular height, since too small a vessel means that the arm must be wrapped around the interior of the vessel to position the cooling means within the beverage; this can affect the ability of a person to drink from the vessel. Conversely, with taller vessels, the arm is often too short to enable the cooling means to reach the bottom of the vessel to cool the beverage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    I have now devised a device for retaining beverage cooling means within a vessel, which alleviates the above-mentioned problems. 
         [0010]    In accordance with the present invention as seen from a first aspect there is provided a device for retaining beverage cooling means within a vessel, the device comprising a vessel engaging portion and means for engaging the beverage cooling means, the vessel engaging portion comprising biasing means which biases the means for engaging the beverage cooling means to the base of the vessel. 
         [0011]    The vessel engaging portion preferably comprises an arm, the proximal end of which is secured to a clip that is arranged to engage the rim of the vessel. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the means for engaging the beverage cooling means is disposed at the distal end of the arm and comprises a yoke, which may be formed integrally with the arm. The yoke preferably snap-fits substantially around the beverage cooling means to hold the beverage cooling means in position. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the yoke is resiliently biased around the beverage cooling means. 
         [0014]    The biasing means is preferably disposed between the arm and the yoke, such that the yoke can fold back toward the arm against the bias of the biasing means. Accordingly, as the vessel engaging portion engages with the rim of the vessel, the cooling means may start to engage with the bottom of the vessel, however, the engaging portion may be further pushed down upon the vessel rim since the yoke can fold back against the arm. In this manner, the biasing means provides a range of working lengths of the device of the present invention, since it enables the device to be secured to the rim of vessels having different heights, while ensuring that the beverage cooling means remains positioned at the bottom of the vessel. 
         [0015]    The yoke may be arranged to snap fit around a substantially horizontal axis or a substantially vertical axis of the beverage cooling means. 
         [0016]    The beverage cooling means preferably comprises a groove formed in the outer surface thereof, extending substantially around the periphery of the beverage cooling means and is arranged to receive the yoke. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the beverage cooling means comprises a housing for holding liquid or gel, the liquid or gel being arranged to absorb heat from the beverage, so as to provide a cooling effect on the beverage. 
         [0018]    The housing is preferably sealed; the user having to freeze the liquid or gel within the housing prior to use. Alternatively, the housing can preferably be opened to allow an ice cube to be inserted into a compartment within the housing. 
         [0019]    In a further alternative, the beverage cooling means is an ice cube comprising a groove for receiving the yoke. 
         [0020]    In a further embodiment, the means for engaging the beverage cooling means comprises a loop disposed at the distal end of the arm, which may be formed integrally with the arm. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the loop is arranged to hold the beverage cooling means to the base of the vessel. 
         [0022]    In accordance with the present invention as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a beverage cooling device, the device comprising a body portion arranged for immersion in the beverage and a vessel engaging portion which engages a vessel in which the beverage is provided, the body portion and vessel engaging portion being connected by an arm comprising biasing means which biases the body portion to the base of the vessel. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the body portion is arranged to absorb heat from the beverage to cool the beverage. 
         [0024]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the device of the present invention secured within a half-pint glass. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device of the present invention in a tumbler glass. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the of the vessel engaging portion and means for engaging of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a housing of the beverage cooling means of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the vessel engaging portion and means for engaging of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , there is provided a device  10  for retaining beverage cooling means  11  within a vessel  12 . The device  10  may be formed substantially of a plastic material and comprises an arm  13 , which extends into the vessel  12  and engages with beverage cooling means  11 , which acts to cool a beverage (not shown) provided within the vessel  12 . The arm  13  may be curved (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) to follow the interior contour of a wine glass for example, or substantially straight to extend directly toward the base of the vessel  12 . 
         [0031]    The outermost section of the arm  13  is folded back on itself to define a hooked clip  14 , which engages with the rim  15  of the vessel  12 . Teeth or elastomeric gripping members (not shown) are preferably provided on the opposed faces of the hooked clip  14 , in order to securely grip the rim  15  of the vessel  12 . 
         [0032]    The end of the arm  13  which extends into the vessel  12  is secured to a yoke  16  via biasing means  17 , which may comprise a resiliently flexible plastic elbow region or a spring (not shown) secured within the arm  13 . The yoke  16  is dimensioned to snap fit within a groove  18  formed within the outer surface of the beverage cooling means  11 . The yoke  16  may be arranged to snap fit within a groove  18  that extends circumferentially around a substantially vertical or horizontal axis of the cooling means  11 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  respectively. The groove  18  helps to locate the yoke  16  and minimises any slipping of the yoke  16  from the cooling means  11 . 
         [0033]    The beverage cooling means  11  may comprise a housing  19  filled with a liquid or gel which absorbs heat from the beverage to cool the beverage, or more simply an ice cube  20 . 
         [0034]    In use the yoke  16  is positioned within the groove  18  of the ice cube  20 , for example, and the clip  14  is secured to the rim  15  of the vessel  12 , so that the arm  13  and thus beverage cooling means  11  extend into the vessel  12 . As the clip  14  is pushed fully down onto the rim  15  of the vessel  12 , the yoke  16  will fold back upon itself as the ice cube  19  engages with the base of the vessel  12 . With very tall vessels, several ice cubes  20  may be placed within the vessel  12  and held toward the base of the vessel  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , by positioning the ice cube  20  that is secured to the yoke  16 , above them. 
         [0035]    The ice cube  20  absorbs heat from the beverage contained in the vessel  12 , so as to cool the beverage. If desired, a plurality of devices  10  may be attached to the vessel  12 . 
         [0036]    In a further embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5 , the yoke  16  may be replaced by a loop  21 , which extends from the arm  13  in a substantially horizontal plane. The loop  21  is dimensioned so that the beverage cooling means  11  cannot pass through the loop  21  or between the loop and vessel wall. The biasing means  17  acts to press the loop  21  down to the base of the vessel  12  and thus trap the beverage cooling means  11  at the base of the vessel. To facilitate this, it is preferred that the beverage cooling means is substantially conically shaped so that it partly extends through the loop  21 . 
         [0037]    A device in accordance with this invention is simple and inexpensive in construction, yet provides a safe and reliable way of retaining ice and other beverage cooling bodies within a beverage held within a vessel.