METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR PROMOTING THE POURABILITY OF SEMI-FROZEN AND SEMI-FLUIDIC BEVERAGES FROM BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

• US 20110199852A1
• Filed: 02/15/2010
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter Martin
• Original Assignee: Peter Martin
• Inventors: Martin, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,259,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/113
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/12 Vessels or pots for table use
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/046 with tools driven from the bottom side
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/0716 for machines with tools driven from the lower side A47J43/0727 - A47J43/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/0727 Mixing bowls

Abstract

A beverage container for a blender includes one or more vibrating mechanisms coupled to a bottom portion of the beverage container or integrated within one or more walls of the beverage container. After a beverage has been blended, the one or more vibrating mechanisms are activated as the beverage is being poured. Vibrations from the one or more vibrating mechanisms are mechanically transmitted to the beverage container, thereby promoting the pourability of the beverage from the beverage container, including dislodging ingredients in the beverage that became lodged or trapped in crevices of the beverage container during the prior blending process, and freeing up beverage ingredients that accumulated at the bottom of the beverage container during the prior blending process.

Claims

1. A beverage blender, comprising:

a beverage container;

a blender base onto which said beverage container may be docked, said blender base including a motor for turning a stirrer in said beverage container when said beverage container is docked on said blender base; and

one or more vibrating mechanisms coupled to a bottom portion of said beverage container, said one or more vibrating mechanisms configured to generate vibrations that are transferred to said beverage container to promote the pourability of beverages from said beverage container.

2. The beverage blender of claim 1, further comprising a collar coupled to the bottom portion of said beverage container, said collar including said one or more vibrating mechanisms.

3. The beverage blender of claim 2 wherein said collar is permanently coupled to the bottom portion of said beverage container.

4. The beverage blender of claim 2 wherein said collar is releasably coupled to the bottom portion of said beverage container.

5. The beverage blender of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable power source electrically coupled and configured to provide power to said one or more vibrating mechanisms, said rechargeable power source configured to electrically couple to a direct current (DC) power supply in said blender base when said beverage container is docked on said blender base.

6. The beverage blender of claim 5, further comprising a vibration control circuit electrically coupled to said one or more vibrating mechanisms.

7. The beverage blender of claim 6, further comprising a vibration control switch configured to control said vibration control circuit.

8. The beverage blender of claim 7 wherein said vibration control switch is configured on or within a handle of said beverage container.

9. The beverage blender of claim 6, further comprising a collar coupled to the bottom portion of said beverage container, said collar including said one or more vibrating mechanisms, said rechargeable power source, and said vibration control circuit.

10. A beverage pouring apparatus, comprising

a beverage container;

and

means for vibrating said beverage container to promote the pourability of beverages from said beverage container, said means for vibrating attached to a bottom portion of said container.

11. The beverage pouring apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for controlling said means for vibrating.

12. The beverage pouring apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for controlling includes switching means for activating and deactivating said means for vibrating.

13. The beverage pouring apparatus of claim 12 wherein said switching means is further for controlling the level of vibration generated by said means for vibrating.

14. The beverage pouring apparatus of claim 12 where said switching means is attached to said beverage container.

15. A beverage pouring apparatus, comprising

a beverage container;

and

one or more vibrating mechanisms integrated within one or more walls of said beverage container, said one or more vibrating mechanisms configured to generate vibrations that are transferred to said beverage container to promote the pourability of beverages from said beverage container.

16. The beverage pouring apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a vibration control circuit attached to or integrated within a wall of said beverage container, said vibration control circuit configured to control said one or more vibrating mechanisms.

17. The beverage pouring apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a power supply attached to or integrated within a wall of said beverage container, said power supply configured to supply power to said one or more vibrating mechanisms.

18. A beverage pouring method, comprising:

pouring a semi-frozen or semi-fluidic beverage from a beverage container; and

as the semi-frozen or semi-fluidic beverage is being poured from said beverage container, activating one or more vibrating mechanisms attached to a bottom portion of said beverage container or integrated within one or more walls of said beverage container.

19. The beverage pouring method of claim 18, further comprising controlling the degree to which said one or more vibrating mechanisms vibrate as the semi-frozen or semi-fluidic beverage is being poured from said beverage container.

20. An apparatus for promoting the pourability of beverages from a beverage container, comprising:

a belt or strap; and

a plurality of vibrating packs affixed to said belt or strap,

wherein said belt or strap is adapted to wrap around a beverage container and said plurality of vibrating packs are configured to generate and transfer vibrations to the beverage container to promote the pourability of beverages from the beverage container.