Technical Field

[0001 ] The present invention relates to pouring beverages from containers into drinking vessels.

Background of the Invention

[0002] In situations where a large number of patrons need to be serviced quickly, such as busy bars, sporting venues and events, it is important that beverages can be poured quickly and efficiently. In some venues, taps are provided, connected to beverage dispensing systems, to provide a reliable delivery of the beverages. However, the speed of service possible is then limited by the flow rate of the tap systems. Further, in many cases additional beverages are available only in cans or bottles.

[0003] Other venues are by their nature temporary, for example at music festivals, fairs and other outdoor events. In these situations, it is usual that beverages such a beer are poured from cans or bottles into drinking vessels, for example plastic cups or glasses. It is common for plastic cups to be used for safety and cost reasons.

[0004] A typical hand pour of a carbonated beverage, such as beer, is as follows. The can or bottle is opened, then drinking vessel such as a cup is held in the other hand, and placed on an angle to the direction of intended pour from the can or bottle. The beverage is then poured, with adjustment of the angles of the can or bottle, and cup, so that the cup becomes progressively more upright as it becomes fuller. A competent operator can use this technique to pour a beverage, whether beer or other carbonated drinks, with a high degree of precision.

[0005] Devices have been disclosed to automate this process, in whole or in part. For example, a variety of devices have been proposed for tap based systems, which will automatically adjust the angle of the glass as beer is dispensed. Examples include US 7,748,417 by Arcuri, and WO 201 5/1 17173 by Beerjet GmbH. Devices for automatically tilting bottles are also known, for example from patent No. JP3665657 by Sapporo Breweries Ltd.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device to improve the efficiency of pouring beverages from containers into drinking vessels. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In a first broad form, the present invention provides a device to hold two or more containers and a corresponding number of drinking vessels, so that an operator may control the pouring of all the containers simultaneously.

[0008] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a beverage pouring assistance device, including a frame, a vessel support and a container support, the vessel support and container support being pivotally connected to the frame, so that in use a plurality of vessels may be held in the vessel support, and a plurality of containers holding a beverage may be held in the container support, so that the beverage may be poured from each of the plurality of containers into respective vessels by selective pivoting of the vessel support and the container support.

[0009] In suitable implementations, this allows for an operator to pour two or more drinks, such as beer, simultaneously, while only having to pay attention to the nearest pour, as the others will be poured in exactly the same way. This allows for relatively quick and efficient pouring in a situation where many drinks are required to be poured at once.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Illustrative implementations of the invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a first two container implementation of the invention in a loading position;

Figure 2 illustrates the first implementation of the invention in a second position;

Figure 3 illustrates the first implementation of the invention in a pouring position;

Figure 4 illustrates the first implementation of the invention in a completed pour position; Figure 5 illustrates a second 4 can implementation of the invention; and

Figure 6 illustrates a third implementation of the invention, adapted for bottles.

Detailed Description of the invention

[001 1 ] The present invention will be described with reference to several specific examples. It will be understood that these are intended to be illustrative of possible modes of implementation of the invention, and not limitative of the scope of the invention. It will be understood that there are many variations in shape, materials, construction and operation which are possible in implementations of the present invention. [0012] Implementations of the present invention have particular application where large numbers of patrons are required to be served, using containers to pour into plastic cups, glasses, mugs or other drinking vessels. The term vessel will be used in this

specification and claims to refer generally to any such drinking vessel.

[0013] Similarly, the term containers is intended to be interpreted broadly. It is intended to encompass cans, bottles (glass or plastic), or similar beverage containers which need to be tilted poured in order to fill a vessel. The beverages may be carbonated, such as beer or soft drinks, or still.

[0014] The implementations illustrated are mounted on a base intended to be free standing on the surface of a serving area. However, it will be appreciated that this is only one option. Implementations could be fixed to the surface or a wall, arranged for attachment or removal from a structure in the service area, or integrated with other equipment or appliances in the service area. It may be desirable in use for a drainage system, for example a tray similar to that used for conventional beer service, to be provided under the device.

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a first implementation of a pouring device 10. Device 10 rests on frame 1 1 , which includes a flat base 1 2. A vessel support 20 is arranged to pivot on frame 1 1 about pins 13, 14. Container support 30 is similarly arranged to pivot, independently of vessel support 20, about pins 13, 14. Thus, as will be described in more detail below, vessel support 20 and container support 30 can be pivoted to a desired angle, relative to each other and to the direction of pour, so as to control the process of pouring beverages. For this example, it is assumed that the beverage in the containers is beer.

[0016] Vessel support 30 has a top surface 25, and openings 21 , 22 for vessels to be inserted. In the illustrated case, the vessels are transparent plastic cups 40, 41 . It will be understood that the size of openings 21 , 22 will need to be appropriate for the size and dimensions of the intended vessels. In this case, small tabs 26 are provided to hold the cups 40, 41 in position.

[0017] Container support 30 includes openings 31 , 32 for containers, in this case cans with conventional top openings 50, 51 . Associated with each opening is a series of posts 15, 1 6 (only one of which is visible in this view) which in turn support platforms 1 7, 1 8. It will be appreciated that the sides of a can are more or less smooth and vertical, so that a retention structure of some kind is required. The posts 15, 16 for each opening 31 , 32 should be spaced so as to snugly contain the cans 50, 51 . The posts and/or opening could include additional features, for example rubber inserts or projections, to further assist in retention if desired or necessary for particular container types. [0018] Figure 2 illustrates the next stage of preparation for use of device 10. Vessel support 20 has been tilted so that surface 25 is approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal, with the cups 40, 41 carried accordingly to the same orientation.

[0019] In Figure 3, the container support 30 has been tiled up to commence pouring from cans 50, 51 into cups 40, 41 . The beverage can be seen pouring out 53, 55 from cans 50, 51 into cups 40, 41 , and inside cups as 54, 56 (visible as the cups are transparent). It can be seen that the cups are placed at an appropriate angle for the beverage to pour along the inside surface of the cup and not create an excessive level of foam on in the cups 40, 41 .

[0020] The arrangement allows an operator to pours from cans 50, 51 at an

appropriate angle into cusp 40, 41 to produce a desired level of foam, for example to pour a desired amount of head on a beer, or to prevent spill over in a more highly carbonated beverage, such as a cola or other soft drink. The operator can control both the angle, and hence pouring rate, of the container, as well as the angle of the cups. It will be understood that the operator need only pay attention to the nearest pour; the other cups and containers will necessarily carry out exactly the same angles as the first or nearest pair. Thus, an operator can focus on only one pour, while pouring two, or even more, as will be explained further below.

[0021 ] Figure 4 illustrates the situation when the pour is more or less complete. The can 50, 51 are raised about 135 degrees from their starting position, so that all or virtually all the beverage is poured into cups 40, 41 , and the poured beverage can be seen as 54, 56.

[0022] In this view, platforms 17, 1 8 can be more clearly seen, as can additional posts 1 5A, 1 6A. The support arrangement for the can is thus clearly seen. It will be appreciated that the support arrangement required will vary with the containers used. For example, the support could include resilient members to retain the containers laterally, either individually or as a group; latching bars or similar for bottles; an adjustable or biased lower platform to retain the containers vertically, or any other suitable arrangement. In one variant, a biased wheel could engage the outside of the container on an arm to ensure that it remains in position during pouring. In some implementations, different components could be swapped in or out depending upon the containers to be poured. What is required is that the container be prevented from falling out in the course of a normal pour, but be easy to load and remove. It is contemplated that different support and retention arrangements will be required for differently shaped containers.

[0023] Similarly, the simple opening works well for the plastic cups illustrated. In the case of a glass vessel, a platform or other arrangement, similar to the container arrangement, may be needed, depending upon the shape and weight of the glass. In some arrangements, a variety of different shapes of container and vessel may be accommodated. For example, a stepped series of support structures could be provided, inserts for the openings could be used, adjustable height platforms, or any other suitable arrangement. In some implementations, components could be swapped in or out, depending upon the size or type of vessel, or resilient or biased features provided to retain the vessel in position.

[0024] Figure 5 illustrates an arrangement in which the device 70 has a container support 72 and a vessel support 71 which are adapted to hold 4 cans and 4 cups respectively, in an otherwise similar arrangement to figures 1 to 4. It is envisaged that 6, 8 or even more cans could be retained in a single device. This is limited by weight, space and practicality limitations. In one implementation, the units have connectors, for example a male and female connection or other mechanical arrangement, which allow for several devices to be connected together if required, or separated if this is a more practical arrangement.

[0025] Figure 6 illustrates a 4 container arrangement, in this case set up for bottles of beverage 86. It can be seen that the height of frame 80 is greater, to accommodate the greater height of bottles. The bottles 86 illustrated are, for example, 330 - 375ml bottles, such as are commonly used for beer. Posts 85 in this case include, for example, a spring loaded section, or some or all of the posts include a depressible rubber or polymer section, to retain the bottle as it is poured. Platforms 87 are provided to support bottles 86. Alternatively, the neck of the bottle could be inserted from below, through a smaller opening, with an opening and locking system for the bottom support. In this case, a lower support may be a plate stretching across all the bottles, which is latched into position once the bottles are inserted.

[0026] It is possible to add an arm as an extension to the container support, extending in the direction of the container opening, to assist in control and reduce the effort required for the pouring process. This addition is desirable as the weight increases, for example with more containers in use, and with heavier containers, such as glass bottles. The arm may extend approx. 20 cm and have an appropriate handle for gripping by the operator.

[0027] The device may be formed from any suitable material, for example metal (preferably non-corrosive), suitable polymers, composites or any other desired material. The illustrated implementations are suitably formed from stainless steel. However, engineering plastics with good rigidity, for example ABS and similar materials, may also be suitable. The device, particularly the frame, may be decorated as desired, for example with advertising material and branding corresponding to a venue or a beverage manufacturer. The frame and potentially other components may also be shaped and moulded to promote a product, or conform to the image and branding of a venue or event. For example, they could be specific to the 'New Year's Eve Music Festival' for example, with suitable imagery and branding.

[0028] The device is illustrated with a pin type arrangement to allow for the container and vessel supports to pivot. However, any other suitable mechanism could be used, for example a rod or bolt through the structure, different bearings, or the like. Only one connection is shown at each end to the frame to allow pivoting; if desired, additional connection points could be provided. Although the pivot is preferably on a single axis for both the container support and the beverage support, it would be possible to configure a device so that these were offset.

[0029] The stiffness of the pivot should be carefully controlled. It is preferably sufficiently stiff to hold at least the vessel support, and ideally the container support, in a desired orientation once it has been placed there by the operator. On the other hand, it must not be so stiff that it is difficult to move into position, or adjust with one hand whilst pouring.

[0030] The implementations illustrated assume that the containers are all of the same or very similar beverages, ideally at the same temperature. It is possible with suitable implementations of the present invention to pour different beverages at the same time. However, when the beverages are different and under different conditions, for example 2 cans of cold beer and 2 cans of room temperature soft drink being poured at the same time, particular care in operation may be required.