Abstract
Beverage and food container serving system and method of using the same.
Claims
1. A container comprising a handle.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of a beverage container reflecting various aspects of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of one embodiment of a beverage container reflecting various aspects of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage container reflecting various aspects of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a beverage container reflecting various aspects of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a food dish container reflecting various aspects of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverageware container reflecting various aspects of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a reverse perspective view of one embodiment of a food dish or beverageware container with back smoked infusion reflecting various aspects of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 8 is an illustration of one embodiment of multiple beverage and/or food service containers being carried by the top container handle when paired together.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 10 is an illustration of one embodiment of multiple beverage and/or food service containers being wheeled.
[0031] FIG. 11 is an illustration of one embodiment of multiple beverage and/or food service containers being used in a drive through environment.
[0032] FIG. 12 is an illustration of one embodiment of multiple beverage and/or food service containers being distributed using a truck.
[0033] FIG. 13 is an illustration of one embodiment of multiple beverage service containers being used.
[0034] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a beverage container reflecting various aspects of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 15 shows a top view of one embodiment of a beverage container reflecting various aspects of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 16 is an illustration of multiple embodiments of the dispensing or serving means of a beverage container being used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0037] There are many possible embodiments of the invention, some of which are described below.
[0038] The figures include the following reference numbers corresponding to embodiments of the following elements: [0039] 100 a beverage or food container; [0040] 101 a top carrying handle; [0041] 102 an infusing means; [0042] 103 a filling means; [0043] 104 an opening handle; [0044] 105 a dispensing or serving means; [0045] 106 a siphon drain; [0046] 107 a middle cover; [0047] 108 an attaching and a detaching means; [0048] 109 a method step of providing multiple beverage and/or food containers; [0049] 110 a method step of filling the first beverage and/or food container; [0050] 111 a method step of filling the second beverage and/or food container; [0051] 112 a method step of attaching the beverage and/or food containers; [0052] 113 a method step of carrying the beverage and/or food containers; [0053] 114 a method step of placing the beverage and/or food containers; [0054] 115 a method step of dispensing the beverages and/or food from the beverage and/or food containers; [0055] 116 a wheel fulcrum;
[0056] In further detail, FIG. 1 shows a top view of a 100 beverage container having a six-sided generally cubic shape, comprised of a top, a bottom, and four side walls; 101 a carrying handle on the top, which is recessed into the top of the beverage container and does not protrude from the top of the beverage container; 102 an infusing means, which may adjust pounds per square inch (PSI) by infusing the beverage vessel with compressed gas, such as argon, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or a mixture thereof (i.e. 25% Cot and 75% N) through a gas cartridge or cylinder line and releasing or relieving extra air pressure through a valve; 103 a filling means, which is a removable cap or lid on the top of the beverage container, which is coupled to 101 the carrying handle; 104 an opening handle, which is a tap handle or lever that opens a 105 dispensing means, which is a tap spigot whose part is coupled to 106 a siphon drain, which is operable to dispense the beverage out adjacent to the container; a multi-purpose 107 middle cover, which is an outer wall or display whose surface may be transparent with optional inner lighting for appealing visual presentation and social media photos or videos, tinted to lesson sunlight or heat penetration through such methods as an applied film or electrochromic window control with electric dimming, physically and/or digitally colored for aesthetic appeal, branding, ads or promotions through such methods as printing, laser engraving, or mixed or augmented reality using various modern transparent or see through display technologies including LCD and LED or OLED, and insulated to preserve temperature through such methods as thicker material or an inner elastomeric layer such as neoprene or a double wall air gap including with a vacuum or inert gas such as argon inside; 108 an attaching and a detaching means on the top and bottom, where the attaching means and detaching means are indentions on the top of each beverage container that pair to protrusions on the bottom of each beverage container. Details relating to taps, cartridges of compressed gas, controlled electrochromic dimming or tinting, and insulation that may be used to practice the invention are generally understood by those having skill in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,466,892, 2,145,702, 5,894,869, 20050200934A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,910,441 and 4,164,853, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The filling means could also be an inlet in the bottom, which is generally understood by those having skill in the art and is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,763,655, 8,777,182, 8,899,281 B2, 9,284,174, 9,440,835, 9,663,264, and 9,694,931, which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The dispensing means could also be a hand pump, which is generally understood by those having skill in the art and is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 185,063, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0057] In further detail, FIG. 2, showing the same embodiment and elements as FIG. 1, further illustrates how various parts of the 102 compressed gas infusion means can be located both above and under the beverage.
[0058] In further detail, FIG. 3, showing the same embodiment and elements as FIG. 1, further illustrates how the 107 middle cover is positioned to display and protect the beverage inside.
[0059] In further detail, FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the containers with tracks instead of circle or keyhole shapes to vertically attach and detach the containers.
[0060] In further detail, FIG. 5, shows a perspective view of a 100 food or beverageware container having a six-sided generally cubic shape, comprised of a top, a bottom, and four side walls; 101 a carrying handle on the top, which is recessed into the top of the food or beverageware container and does not protrude from the top of the food or beverageware container; 103 a filling means, which is an operable front door, and is coupled to 104 the front door handle; 105 a dispensing means, which is the same operable front door coupled to the same 104 front door handle; which the user engages to serve food or beverageware out of the container; a multi-purpose 107 middle cover, which is an outer wall or display whose surface may be transparent with optional inner lighting for appealing visual presentation and social media photos or videos, tinted to lesson sunlight or heat penetration through such methods as an applied film or electrochromic window control with electric dimming, physically and/or digitally colored for aesthetic appeal, branding, ads or promotions through such methods as printing, laser engraving, or mixed or augmented reality using various modern transparent or see through display technologies including LCD and LED or OLED, and insulated to preserve temperature through such methods as thicker material or an inner elastomeric layer such as neoprene or a double wall air gap including with a vacuum or inert gas such as argon inside; 108 an attaching and a detaching means on the top and bottom, where the attaching means and detaching means are indentions on the top of each beverage container that pair to protrusions on the bottom of each beverage container. Details relating to controlled electrochromic dimming or tinting, and insulation that may be used to practice the invention are generally understood by those having skill in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 20050200934A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,910,441 and 4,164,853, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[0061] In further detail, FIG. 6, showing the same embodiment and elements as FIG. 5, further illustrates that the same type of container can be configured to pair beverageware in addition to food dishes.
[0062] In further detail, FIG. 7, showing the same embodiment and elements as FIGS. 5-6, further illustrates that the smoker 102 infusing means is a back smokebox hole that an external smokegun hose fits in to make smoked food or drinks.
[0063] In further detail, FIG. 8, showing the same embodiment and elements as FIGS. 1-7, further illustrates that two vertically attached beverage and/or food service containers may be carried by one handle.
[0064] In further detail, FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of the method of distributing and serving a variety of beverages and/or food comprising: 109 a method step of providing multiple beverage and/or food containers having the elements, functionality, and optional features shown in FIGS. 1 through 8; 110 a method step of filling the first beverage or food container with a first beverage or food variety; 111 a method step of filling the second beverage or food container with a second beverage or food variety; 112 a method step of attaching the beverage and/or food containers to each other vertically; 113 a method step of carrying the vertically attached beverage and/or food containers using the handle of the top beverage or food container; 114 a method step of placing the vertically attached beverage and/or food containers on a table without ice, refrigeration, or heat; 115 a method step of dispensing the first beverage or food variety and the second beverage or food variety from the vertically attached beverage and/or food containers for consumption.
[0065] In further detail, FIG. 10, showing the same embodiment and elements as FIG. 1, further illustrates that multiple vertically attached 100 beverage and/or food containers may be transported using 116 attached wheels similar to a delivery dolly or rolling carry on suitcase. Advantageously, because the beverage and/or food containers are vertically attachable and the handle of one of the beverage or food containers is operable to carry one or more additional beverage or food containers vertically attached, the wheels may be a separate compact component or optionally integrated into the bottom of the beverage or food containers; in other words, a traditional hand truck with a full support structure and handle is not required.
[0066] In further detail, FIG. 11 shows the use of a beverage or food container in a drive-through-window-service environment.
[0067] In further detail, FIG. 12 shows many beverage and/or food containers being distributed efficiently using a truck.
[0068] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of these specific embodiments. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, but shall include all embodiments within the scope and spirit of the invention.
