DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention refers to the field of bartender and barman tools and in 5particular it concerns a device for obtaining liquid mixtures, such as drinks and/or cocktails, acting as a mixer and measuring device for such liquids.

Background of the invention

As it is known, in order to make cocktails and other similar drinks it is necessary to mix, usually with the aid of a shaker, a plurality of liquids in specific doses. For lomeasuring the liquids and for evaluating the exact quantities to use the barman can use a double measuring cup that is commonly called a "jigger".

Such a measuring cup provides two frustoconical portions having different capacity, which are arranged over one another so as to define a typical hourglass- shape; such a shape allows the barman to comfortably grip the measuring cup at the i5narrower section, so as to pour the liquid, each time, in the portion that is most suitable for the required dosage.

The operation described above can be uncomfortable for the barman, especially considering the fact that a single cocktail can contain numerous ingredients and that such a measuring operation must be repeated a plurality of times for each cocktail 20made.

In order to at least partially avoid such a drawback, measuring cups have been disclosed with at least one of the two portions being divided into sections with a graduated volume. Such a solution makes it possible to simultaneously carry out a series of multiple measuring operations; however, it does not completely solve the

25problem especially since each of the sections is often insufficient to contain the exact dosage to be used; moreover, each cocktail can contain many ingredients in the same amount and therefore the barman is forced to repeat the measuring operation many times, since there is only one section for each dose.

Moreover, systems are known for automatically mixing drinks in which a series of

30tanks are associated with automatic means for sucking and extracting different liquids that are conveyed into a single barrel. However, such machines are complex and expensive as well as bulky and are therefore not suitable to be installed in most places such as bars, pubs, restaurants, etc. which have limited space and require cheaper solutions that can also be used by untrained staff.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for obtainingliquid mixtures allowing to solve the shortcoming outlined above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device achieving a significantly improved result in terms of saving time for making such mixtures (such as in particular drinks and cocktails), in view of a solution that is cost-effective and easy to use.

These and other objects are attained by a bartending mixing and measuring device according to the invention, the essential features of which are defined in the first of the appended claims. Further important features are defined in the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The bartending mixing and measuring device according to the present invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, given as a non- limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a diametrically sectioned view of a first variant of the device according to the invention showing an upper measuring element and a lower mixingelement, that are coupled to one another, a stopper being associated to the lower element in order to sealingly close a discharge hole of the lower element itself;

figure 2a is a top view of the upper measuring element show in isolation of the device of figure 1 ;

figure 2b is a section view along the line ll-l l of the measuring element offigure 2a;

figure 3a shows a top view of the lower mixing element of the device of figure

1 ;

figure 3b shows a section view of the mixing element along the line I l l-I ll of figure 3a;

- figure 4 shows the device according to the invention (shown in a diametrically sectioned view) associated with a shaker of the known type (shown not in section);

figure 5 schematically represents, in a front view, a second variant embodiment of the device according to the invention;

figure 6a shows in isolation and in a top view an upper element of the second embodiment of figure 5;

figure 6b shows a cross-section view, according to the line indicated with IV- 5lV in figure 6a, of the upper element of the second variant of figure 5;

figure 7a shows in isolation and in a top view a lower element of the second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

figure 7b is a top view of the lower element of figure 7a;

figure 7c is a section view according to the line indicated with V-V in figure 7b lOof the lower element;

figure 7d is a bottom view of the lower element of the previous figures and figure 8 schematically shows the second embodiment of the device according to the invention associated with a shaker of the known type.

Detailed description of the invention

15 With reference to the above figures, the device for measuring and mixing liquids or rather, more specifically, for preparing drinks and cocktails, comprises two elements which are suitable for being connected/disconnected to/from one another; the elements, when assembled, are associated one above the another according to a pouring direction of the liquid, as will be clear later.

20 In fact, the device comprises an upper element 1 , 1 ' adapted for the measuring of liquids and a lower element 2, 2' at least adapted to direct such liquids inside a known type of container, such as a glass, a pitcher, a shaker or the like.

The upper element is substantially defined by a plurality of tubular barrels 10, 10' that are connected to one another through a flat base 1 1 , or otherwise by simply being 25glued to one another. The barrels 10, 10' present an opened bottom end 10a; when the device is assembled, each of the barrels is engaged with shutter means (associated with the lower element) that are suitable for shutting in a sealing manner the bottom end 10a, so as to allow liquid to be kept stored inside the barrel itself (as further clarified further on).

30 An upper end 10b opposite to the bottom end is also opened to permit the pouring of the liquid inside of the barrel itself.

The barrels 10, 10' are preferably arranged in parallel ranks, each rank including a number of barrels having the same capacity, the capacity progressively increasing from one rank to the next. The single capacity obviously corresponds to a certain dose of liquid.

According to one preferred solution the barrels have a volume such as to 5contain, at most one ounce of liquid (net of the volume of the shutting means), corresponding to a base dose of liquid (barrels with maximum height). The barrels with smaller dimensions will thus contain sub-multiples of such a base dose (or rather ½, ¼ of an ounce etc.).

In the first variant shown in figures 1 to 4 the barrels 10 are arranged in four rows lofor a total of sixteen barrels with a capacity that increases from one line to the next, which have regularly variable dimensions from one to a quarter of an ounce. This configuration makes it possible to have a considerable number of barrels, such as to be able to allow many liquids to be dosed simultaneously. Alternatively, in the second variant shown in figures 5 to 8, the barrels 10' are arranged in three parallel rows with I5capacity gradually increasing, defining a central row with three barrels, alongside two side rows formed by two barrels with respectively less and greater capacity.

Considering now the lower mixing element 2, and in particular the first variant thereof shown in figures 1 to 4, it comprises a concave portion 20 defining a funnel shape that can collect and convey the measured liquids inside the container 20mentioned above, such as a glass or a shaker.

An upper inlet mouth 20a of the funnel-shaped portion is covered by a grid 21 acting as a resting member for the measuring element 1 , and in particular for the lower ends 10a of the barrels.

The aforementioned shutting means such as plugs 22 project from the grid 21. 25The plugs have size and shape adapted to penetrate and sealingly close the barrels 10. The plugs 22 are thus arranged in such a way that each of them correspond to a respective barrel 10 when the upper element 1 is coupled with the lower element 2.

In order to promote the sealed coupling between each barrel and the respective plug a projecting rib 22a is provided on the outer surface of the plug itself, the rib 30acting as a gasket between the inner surface of the barrel and the outer surface of the plug.

According to the embodiment in figure 3b, pins 21 a project from the grid 21 ; each pin 21 a is suitable for insertion in a seat 22b at the base of each plug 22, to obtain the connection between the plug and the grid. However, other solutions for connecting the plug to the grid can be provided, like for example gluing, threaded means etc.

As easily understood from what has been described above, through the 5disconnection of the upper measuring element from the lower mixing element, this implying the removal of the shutting means from the barrels 10, the liquids contained in the barrels are discharged on the grid and filtered through it inside the larger mouth 20a of the funnel-shaped portion 20; such a simultaneous fall determines a first mixing of the liquids.

10 The mixture obtained comes out from a discharge hole 23 formed on the lower mouth (the narrowest one) of the funnel-shaped portion 20.

Side walls 25, with a height such as to allow the device to rest with the hole 23 lifted with respect to a resting plane (like for example a table or a bar counter), project from the bottom of the grid 21. In such a condition the device can then be used e.g. for

I5rmixing liquids into a glass.

Possibly, the hole 23 can be closed tight by a stopper 23', as shown in the figures. When the device is associated with a container, for example a shaker S, the stopper 23' is removed so as to allow the liquid to directly come out into the container itself. On the other hand, when the device is rested on the work plane, the plug is

20inserted in the hole 23 so as to contain the liquid inside the funnel-shaped portion. In such a way the liquid can be mixed and contained in the device and only subsequently poured into a suitable container.

The device is associated with the shaker by simply being placed above it and in particular the concave portion 20 at least partially penetrates a mouth S1 of the shaker

25S (as shown in figure 4) so that an outer surface 200 of the concave portion rests on an edge S2 of the aforementioned mouth of the shaker. The resting is made stable by the liquid poured into the barrels, because the weight of the liquid promotes the tight positioning of the device on the shaker. However, in order to further stabilize such a position, attachment means, such as appendages 24 can be provided, which project at

30the bottom from the funnel-shaped portion, at the sides of the hole 23. When the lower element (or more in general the device) is connected to the shaker, the appendages 24 are arranged facing an outer surface S3 of the shaker itself; in the case in which the device tends to swing, the appendages abut against the outer surface S3 preventing the device from overturning. The distance between the appendages 24 is thus established considering the diameter of shakers commonly on the market.

Referring now to figures 5 to 8, a second variant of the device according to the 5invention is shown. With reference in particular to figures 7a to 8 the lower element 2' and in particular the grid plane 21 ' is defined by an array of radial flat rods 21 1 ' intersecting at a central region 210'.

The rods support, at their ends and at the central region 210', plugs 22' that, when the device is assembled, obstruct the lower end 10a of the barrels 10' preventing lothe liquid contained in them from coming out. The plugs therefore include a central plug and a number (six in this case) of peripheral plugs in a substantially circular arrangement.

The grid further comprises two long rods indicated in the figures with 21 1 " that cross at the central region 210' and reach with their ends the imaginary circle I5circumscribing the set of peripheral plugs 22'. The longer rods are bent upwards at the ends, forming a square angle with the plane of the grid, so as to define hooking branches 26' with gripping hooks 26a' such as to grip onto the edge S2 of the container.

In particular, in figure 8 it can be seen how, when the device is associated with a 20shaker, this penetrates the mouth S1 thereof, so that the grid plane 21 ' (and consequently the lower end 10a of the barrels) is below the edge S2 of the shaker itself. The branches 26' rest on the inner surface of the shaker whereas the hooks 26a', grip onto the outer periphery of the edge S2. Once the device is arranged in this manner, in order to pour the content of the barrel inside the shaker, it is sufficient to lift 25them, this implying the disengagement from the plugs. The liquid inside them will fall inside the shaker, becoming mixed.

As apparent from the above, the device according to the invention is extremely simple to use, and it also allows many liquids to be dosed simultaneously, thus reducing the time needed to prepare cocktails and the operations required by the user. 30 According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, since there are many barrels of the same size as well as barrels with different sizes, it is possible for the user to simultaneously dose a considerable number of liquids, said amount being sufficient, in most cases, to obtain the desired cocktail.

Of course, by varying the volume of the barrels, other sizes can also be foreseen according to the requirements. In particular the barrels can contain at least one ounce and integral multiples thereof (two, three or four ounces).

5 Again, the barrels all have the same base and the variation of volume corresponds to a different height of the barrels themselves. However, solutions can also be foreseen in which the barrels have the same height and the variation of volume is given by a variation of the base surface.

Advantageously, on the barrel itself or, if present, on the base plane 11 , there will lobe (engraved, printed or the like) the indication of the measurement so as to allow the user to easily identify the barrel of the desired dose.

The device moreover allows a first mixing of the liquids which are conveyed in the final container (be it a glass or a shaker S) thus reducing the overall time for preparing the cocktail.

15 Possibly, by adjusting the dimensions of the hole 23 and of the grid 21 , 21 ', the device according to the innovation can be also used for measuring and mixing non- liquid ingredients like ice, fruit pulp, sugar, lime, etc.

The device is preferably made from a plastic material, although other materials such as metal, etc., can be used. The plugs are made from rubber or other

20impermeable material that is capable of offering a suitable liquid seal inside the barrel.

The barrels 10, 10' can have a cylindrical tubular shape like that previously described or they can possibly have a different cross-section such as rectangular, parallelepiped-shaped, etc. Similarly, the plugs will be shaped matching the barrels so as to be able to be sealingly inserted inside them.

25 Also the grid member, in addition to the solutions described above, can have a different structure.

Finally, in order to prevent liquid from accidentally coming out, during the disconnection step of the measuring element from the mixing element, the grid can be peripherally delimited by a raised edge. In the first variant, as can be understood from 30figure 3b, such a raised edge is indicated with 21 b and projects from the grid forming a projection of the side walls 25.

The present invention is not generally limited to the above described and depicted embodiments, but comprises any variations thereof within the scope of the appended claims.