GB2329632A

GB2329632A - Beverage dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2329632A
Application number: GB9720552A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Luis Benayas Perez; Javier Perez Perez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-09-26
Filing date: 1997-09-26
Publication date: 1999-03-31
Also published as: NL1008394C1; GB9720552D0

Abstract

A beverage dispenser comprises a container 2 made of plastics, such as methacrylate, which is transparent, cylindrical and tubular and is provided with a removable lid 1, also made of plastics and having an opening for the ingress and egress of air and gas, the container being closed at its lower end by a closure part 3 which incorporates a dispensing device 4, and being mounted vertically on a support 5. The closure part 3 is preferably solid and cylindrical in shape and may be made of plastics or metal. At its upper part it preferably forms a hermetic seal with the container, which may be achieved using O-rings, and at its lower part it preferably has a reduced diameter and a notch 9 for fitting with the support 5, with the notch 9 on the closure part 3 engaging with a lug 8 on the support 5. Additionally, the support 5 may have two counterweights 6, which may be made of iron, in order to stabilise the device if the support is made from light material, and the support may also comprise handles 7 for ease of carrying.

Description

BEVERAGE DISPENSER The invention relates to a beverage dispenser in the form of a transparent cylindrical container having a dispending device in its lower part and which, once filled with the beverage in question, is placed vertically on a support, thus enabling users to help themselves to a drink in a personal manner and at will, using the dispensing device.

According to the present invention there is provided a beverage dispenser comprising a container made of plastics, which is transparent, cylindrical and tubular and is provided with a removable lid also made of plastics and having an opening for the ingress and egress of air and gas, the container being closed at its lower end by a closure part which incorporates a dispensing device, and being mounted vertically on a support.

In a preferred form the invention provides an apparatus comprising two main parts, namely a container and a support. The container is a transparent cylindrical tube made of plastics, such as methacrylate for example, closed off at its lower end by a cylindrical closure part made of metal or plastics such as polyethylene or some other plastics material, which fits into a support and incorporates a dispensing device. This cylindrical part is formed with a tube to convey the beverage contained in the container to the dispensing device. The container and the closure part are easy to take apart. The upper end of the container is fitted with a circular plastics lid provided with an opening of a suitable size for the ingress and egress of air and gas.

The said support, which may be round, or in the form of a truncated pyramid, or of any other shape which achieves the same purpose, may be made of wood, plastics or any other material, and has in the centre of its upper part an opening for receiving the said closure part. In its interior it has, screwed to it or attached by any other suitable means, a counterweight or counterweights made of iron or any other heavy material, acting as stabilising ballast. Obviously the counterweight or counterweights will only be necessary if the material of the support is not otherwise heavy enough. The support is movable for transportation.

When a customer asks an assistant to serve him with the beverage he requires, using the dispenser of the invention, the assistant fills the said container of the dispenser with the chosen beverage and passes it to the customer, whilst also providing him with the said support of the dispenser. The customer places the support on the table or other suitable location of his choice, places the container vertically on the holder and from then on is able to serve himself with drinks as he wishes, by operating the dispensing device. This procedure, which applies to a single customer, may be modified if there are a number of customers, such as a group of friends.

The capacity of the container depends on its diameter and height and may vary in accordance with these two parameters. It will usually be made of plastics, such as methacrylate for example. The closure part of the container in which the dispensing device is located may be made of metal or of plastics such as polyethylene, the dispensing device taking any form which allows repeated opening and closing in order to dispense the beverage. The support may be made of any desired material such as wood, plastics or any other suitable material.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the beverage dispenser.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes the lid, 2 the tubular container, 3 the closure part which closes off the lower part of the container, 4 the dispensing device, 5 the support, 6 the counterweights with their screws, 7 the carrying handles, 8 a small lug, 9 a slot and 10 the O-rings.

The container 2 is made of a plastics material such as methacrylate and fits into the cylindrical or tubular closure part 3 in which the dispensing device 4 is provided. This fit is hermetic and one or more O-rings 10 are provided for sealing. The dispensing device 4, in the form of a key or tap, is mounted in the closure part 3 by any normal mechanical system.

The support 5 may be made of wood, plastics or any other suitable material. A bore is formed in its upper part to allow the container 2 to be inserted and supported vertically.

The present invention is useful in the hotel or restaurant trade when one or more persons wish to help themselves to the beverage they have selected, at a pace of their choosing.

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser comprising a container made of plastics, which is transparent, cylindrical and tubular and is provided with a removable lid also made of plastics and having an opening for the ingress and egress of air and gas, the container being closed at its lower end by a closure part which incorporates a dispensing device, and being mounted vertically on a support.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the said closure part is solid and cylindrical in shape, made of plastics or metal, having at its upper part a fitting to enable the said container to fit hermetically thereon and its lower part being of reduced diameter in order to fit into the said support and to act as a rest and abutment, the closure being formed with a slot which engages with a lug on the support to prevent the closure from rotating.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a seal between the container and the closure part is provided by one or more 0-rings.

4. A dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the said closure part is formed with a duct comprising two interconnecting bores, so that beverage in the container can pass through the duct to the dispensing device which is screwed to the closure part.

5. A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the said support has, in its upper part, an opening of sufficient diameter for the lower end of the said closure part to be received in it, the closure part being located above the support, and the support having two counterweights anchored by screws for stabilising it.

6. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the said counterweights are made of a heavy material such as iron.

7. A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the said support is provided with two handles for carrying it.

8. A beverage dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.