NITROGEN INFUSING APPARATUS

Abstract

An apparatus for nitrogenizing a beverage utilizing a container having a chamber with a plurality of baffles. The container also includes a gas controller regulator in the form of a collapsible orifice at the base of the container. An agitator in the form of a rotating shaft creates a shear on the beverage during delivery of a stream of nitrogen gas into the container.

Claims

1. An apparatus for infusing gaseous nitrogen from a source into a beverage, comprising: a container, said container comprising a chamber for the beverage, said container being formed by a base and a side portion extending therefrom; at least one baffle located in said chamber and is positioned along said side portion of said container; a port located in said base of said container, said port permitting the passage of a gaseous nitrogen from the source to said chamber of said container; an agitator, said agitator creating a shear force on the beverage in said chamber of said container, said agitator being located adjacent said port and said at least one baffle; a first controller for regulating the activity of said agitator, and a second controller for regulating the rate of entry of the gaseous nitrogen into said chamber of said container through said port; a support for said container, said support including an injector communicating with said port located in the base of said container and the source of nitrogen; and a housing, said support being rotatably connected to said housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said at least one baffle comprises a plurality of baffles.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 which additionally comprises a lid, said plurality of baffles depending therefrom and extending into said chamber of said container.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said lid includes a concave fitting having an aperture therethrough, said agitator including a shaft, said shaft extending through said aperture in said concave fitting and into said chamber of said container.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 which further comprises a motor for turning said shaft of said agitator, said motor being mounted on a plate located in said housing, said plate further comprising a protrusion having an opening therethrough, said protrusion mating with said concave fitting of said lid, said shaft extending through said opening in said protrusion and said aperture of said concave fitting of said lid.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said protrusion is conical.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said port of said container comprises an element of resilient material, said element including said port as an orifice being capable of enlarging under pressure of the gaseous nitrogen from said source and collapsing in the absence of gaseous nitrogen from source.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said container includes a discharge for permitting the egress of beverage from said chamber of said container.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 which additionally comprises a hinge rotatably connecting said support to said housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 which additionally comprises a passageway through said support for conducting gaseous nitrogen to said port.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said support further comprises a concave retainer with an aperture therethrough, said container further comprises a protrusion having an opening therethrough, said protrusion mating with said concave retainer of said support to allow gaseous nitrogen from said port to pass through said aperture of said concave retainer and said opening through said protrusion to said chamber of said container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of the present application.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lid portion of the apparatus of the present application.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the lid portion of the apparatus of the present application.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the lid portion of the apparatus of the present application.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the container of the apparatus of the present application mounted on a support.

[0037] FIG. 6 is side elevational view of the apparatus of the present application with the container shown in phantom.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a partial top, perspective view of the bottom portion of the apparatus of the present application illustrating the positioning of the nitrogen port and agitator shaft, and baffles.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a partial side elevational view of the motor mount plate and distending shaft with a portion of the container shown in phantom.

[0040] FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

[0041] FIG. 10 is a top right partial perspective view of the support showing the hinge of the support and the nitrogen port element.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

[0043] FIG. 12 is a sectional view depicting the interaction of the base of the container with the support detailing the port for delivery of nitrogen gas.

[0044] For a better understanding of the application, reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which should be referenced to the prior delineated drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Various aspects of the present application will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior delineated drawings.

[0046] The apparatus as a whole is depicted in the drawings by reference character 10. Apparatus 10 includes, as one of its elements, a container 12. Container 12 includes a chamber which is intended to hold a beverage. Container 12 is also formed with a base 16 and a side portion 18 extending therefrom, FIGS. 1 and 5.

[0047] Apparatus 10 is also provided with a housing which provides support 22 for container 12 that is rotatable about a hinge 24. A brace 26 is able to swing outwardly from housing 20 and hold support 22 in a generally horizontal position, directional arrow 28, FIGS. 1 and 6.

[0048] Container 12 is also provided with an optional discharge or spout 30 which permits the egress of beverage from chamber 14 of container 12. A source of gaseous nitrogen 32 delivers the same to the vicinity of support 22 and to a port 34 at support 22 which directs gaseous nitrogen to the chamber 14 of container 12. The passage of gaseous nitrogen into chamber 14 will be described in greater detail as the specification continues. In any case, a conduit 36 between nitrogen source 32 and support 22 is of conventional configuration.

[0049] Turning to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, it may be observed that a lid 38 is depicted and is intended to fit over the top 40 of container 12. Lid 38 includes a top 42 and baffles 44, 46, and 48 depending therefrom. Lid 38 is also formed with a connector 50 that is constructed with a concave fitting 52 having an aperture 54 through the same. Aperture 54 is intended to allow an agitator 56 to extend therethrough and into the chamber 14 of container 12. The details of agitator 56 will be discussed as the specification continues. Needless to say, placement of lid 38 on top 40 of container 12 would allow baffles 44, 46, and 48 to extend within chamber 14 of container 12. FIG. 7 depicts the relationship of agitator 56, baffles 44, 46, and 48, and nitrogen gas port 34. Baffles, 44, 46, and 48 may alternately extend from the base 16 of container 12.

[0050] With reference now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the agitator 56 operation is detailed. Agitator 56 is turned by a motor 58, according to directional arrows 60. Plate 61 includes a conical protrusion 62 that appends therefrom. Protrusion 62 nests or fits within concave fitting 52 of lid 38 and has an aperture 63. Agitator 56 then extends through aperture 54 of concave fitting 52, aperture 63 of protrusion 62, and into chamber 14 of container 12.

[0051] Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, it may be observed that delivery of nitrogen gas from nitrogen gas source 32 is illustrated. Nitrogen gas conduit 36 (in phantom) delivers nitrogen gas to channel 64, which extends around hinge 24 at support 22. U-shaped trough 66 then directs nitrogen gas to port 34. It should be noted that support 22 is depicted in section to show the travel of nitrogen gas to port 34. With further reference to FIG. 12, it may be seen that port 34 is formed of resilient material and includes an orifice 68 which leads to trough 66 and a tunnel 70 through nitrogen gas port 34. The pressure of nitrogen gas travelling through trough 66, tunnel, 70, and orifice 68 expands or enlarges orifice 68 and predetermines the amount of nitrogen gas that passes into chamber 14 of container 12. Directional arrows 72 show the travel of nitrogen gas from port 34 and into chamber 14 of container 12. It should be seen that the regulation of the turning or activity of agitator 56 is controlled by the electrical feed to motor 58 in a conventional manner.

[0052] FIG. 12 further details the delivery of nitrogen gas to chamber 14 of container 12. Support 22 possesses a protrusion 74 with an opening 76. Likewise, base 16 of container 12 includes a conical protrusion 78 with an opening 80. Gaseous nitrogen from port orifice 68 passes into chamber 14 of container 12 at a controlled rate in the vicinity of agitator 56 and baffles 44, 46, and 48, FIG. 7.

[0053] In operation, the user places the nitrogen gas source 32, which may be a canister, within container 12. A conventional outlet to nitrogen gas source 32 allows the passage of nitrogen gas through conduit 36 and into channel 64 adjacent hinge 24. Again, the opening of nitrogen gas source 32 is achieved by conventional known valving. Support 22 is then swing upwardly by the use of hinge 24 and supported by brace 26 in a relatively horizontal position. Container 12, holding a beverage which may be cold brew coffee and the like, is then placed atop support 22 such that support 22 communicates with the chamber 14 of container 12, best shown in FIG. 12. Agitator 56 is then activated via motor 58 to create a shearing effect on the beverage within container 12. The control of the turning of agitator 56 and the presence of baffles, 44, 46, and 48 depending from lid 38 avoids the creation of cavitation. Thus, any infusion of ambient air containing oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases is prevented by the combination of baffles 44, 46, and 48 and the turning of agitator 56. The quantity of nitrogen gas entering chamber 14 via U-shaped trough 66, tunnel 70, and slightly opened orifice 68 of port 34 is controlled by the determination of the pressure through conduit 36 from nitrogen source 32. The resulting drink from the beverage in chamber 14 of container 12 following nitrogen infusion possesses a desirable taste. For example, in the case of cold brewed coffee, such coffee is perceived as being creamier and sweeter than normal coffee.

[0054] While in the foregoing, embodiments of the application have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the application, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the application.