Dry ice drinking vessel

Abstract

The Invention is an apparatus which may be a drinking vessel to contain dry ice submerged within a beverage to create a visual effect. A partition has a first side and a second side and is adapted to contain dry ice on the first side. The partition is adapted to allow the beverage to flow from the second side of said partition to said first side of said partition when said partition is immersed in the beverage, exposing the beverage to the dry ice, creating a visual effect and chilling the beverage.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/405,468 filed Aug. 22, 2002 and U.S. utility patent application No. 10/645,019, filed Aug. 21, 2003, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide. When placed in a liquid that is at room temperature, the carbon dioxide absorbs heat from the liquid and undergoes a change of state, sublimating to carbon dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide gas bubbles through the liquid, chilling the air above the liquid. Water vapor in the air condenses, causing a vapor or fog to form over the liquid. The absorption of heat from the liquid chills the liquid. Carbon dioxide commonly is placed in water to create visual effects for theatrical and concert productions.

It has been common practice to use dry ice as a cooling agent. Dry ice can be dangerous to touch, but is commonly used in shipping perishable items. Dry ice is commonly available in block form and also as pellets. It is known to use dry ice to cool beverages. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,105,339 to Sweitzer discloses dry ice used to cool a portable dispenser for beverages. The insulated dispense of Sweitzer includes an internal container into which dry ice is placed. The dispenser is then filled with a beverage. The dispenser provides cooling and also carbonation and has a valve to control pressure. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,910,461 and 4,170,320 both to Eager, issued Oct. 7, 1975 and Oct. 9, 1979, respectively.

Prior art dispenser devices such as the Switzer and Eager devices filled a need for cool beverages but were only practical where a beverage was to be served to a large number of people from a single dispenser. The prior art devices do not serve to create a visual effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a perforated partition to segregate dry ice submerged in a beverage to create a smoking, boiling effect in the beverage. The perforated partition may comprise a portion of a vessel, such as a drinking vessel. When the beverage is exposed to the dry ice, the dry ice absorbs heat from the beverage and sublimates from solid to gaseous carbon dioxide. The gaseous carbon dioxide bubbles through the beverage, making the beverage appear to boil, and causes vapor to appear above the surface of the beverage. The appearance of the vapor creates an illusion that the beverage is emitting smoke. The absorption of heat by the dry ice as it undergoes the change of state from solid to gas also cools the beverage.

The perforated container for dry ice may form a portion of a drinking vessel, such as a chamber incorporated into a drinking vessel. The drinking vessel of the invention is generally cylindrical. A perforated partition on the interior of the cylindrical drinking vessel separates the interior of the drinking vessel into a first volume and a second volume. The bottom of the drinking vessel has an open position and a closed position. When the bottom of the drinking vessel is in the open position, dry ice may be placed into the first volume. When the bottom of the drinking vessel is in the closed position, the bottom is sealed, containing the dry ice within the first volume and rendering the drinking vessel liquid-tight and ready to receive a beverage. The beverage is poured into the drinking vessel through the open rim. The beverage occupies the second volume of the drinking vessel and flows through the perforations in the partition into the first volume, exposing the beverage to the dry ice contained in the first volume.

The boiling, smoking visual effect of the submerged dry ice renders a beverage visually attractive. The visual effect is enhanced by lighting the drinking vessel from below, as by upward-shining light-emitting diodes installed in a tray for serving beverages. The chilling effect of the dry ice also adds to the appeal of beverages served using the drinking vessel.

The usefulness of the drinking vessel is improved and the time between preparing and serving the beverage may be extended by providing a removable cap blinding the perforations of the partition. The removable cap substantially prevents the beverage from flowing through the perforations to the dry ice. The removable cap has a tab extending above the level of the beverage, allowing a server to pull the tab and thereby remove the cap from the perforations, allowing the beverage to flow through the perforations to the dry ice. The use of the removable cap allows a server to charge the drinking vessel with dry ice and pour the beverage into the drinking vessel up to an hour before serving the beverage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the drinking vessel of the invention with a cap and tab.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross section of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1 illustrating operation of the cap and tab.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross section of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1 illustrating the visual effect and the cooling of the beverage.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partially cut away perspective view of a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross section view of the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross section of the third embodiment in use.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another configuration for the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment installed on a drinking vessel.

FIG. 13 is perspective view of a tray and a cross sectional view of a drinking vessel.

DESCRIPTION ON AN EMBODIMENT

The Invention is in the form of a small drinking vessel such as might be used to consume alcoholic “shots.” The first embodiment of the Invention is illustrated by FIGS. 1-4. A generally cylindrical drinking vessel 2 has a vessel wall 4. As shown by FIGS. 2-4, the drinking vessel 2 has a partition 6 in fixed engagement with the vessel wall 4. Partition 6 has a first side 8 and a second side 10. At least one perforation 12 through the partition 6 communicates between first side 8 and second side 10. Partition 6 and wall 4 together define a first interior volume 14 and a second interior volume 16. Partition 6 segregates first interior volume 14 from second interior volume 16, while allowing fluid and pneumatic communication between first interior volume 14 and second interior volume 16.

Drinking vessel 2 has a bottom 18 selectable engaging the wall 4. Bottom 18 has an open position illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, and a closed position illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4. In the open position, dry ice pellets 20, shown by FIGS. 3, may be placed in first interior volume 14. In the closed position of bottom 18 as illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4, bottom 18 forms a liquid-tight seal with wall 4 of drinking vessel 2, confining dry ice 20 within first interior volume 14.

As shown by FIG. 4, once dry ice 20 is sealed within first interior volume 14, a beverage 22 may be poured through open rim 24 into second interior volume16 of drinking vessel 2. Beverage 22 flows through the perforations 12 in partition 6. Beverage 22 thereby comes in contact with dry ice 20. Dry ice 20 absorbs heat from beverage 22, chilling beverage 22 and sublimating dry ice 20 into bubbles 26 of carbon dioxide gas. Bubbles 26 rise through beverage 22 into the air, causing water vapor in the air to condense into a mist 28. The rising bubbles 26 and mist 28 create the desired smoking, boiling visual effect.

FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate the operation of cap 30 and tab 32. Cap 30 is installed on the second side 10 of partition 6 through open rim 24 of drinking vessel 2. Cap 30 blinds perforations 12, preventing flow of the beverage 22 through the perforations 12 and preventing beverage 22 from coming in contact with the dry ice 20. When a server is ready to serve the beverage 22 to a consumer of the beverage 22, the server pulls the tab 32, which lifts cap 30 from the perforations 12 and allows the beverage 22 to contact the dry ice 20. Contact with the dry ice 20 by the beverage 22 then results in the desired smoking, boiling visual effect.

By use of cap 30, a server of a beverage may extend the time between the charging of the drinking vessel 2 with dry ice 20 and a beverage 22 and serving the beverage 22 to a consumer. In the absence of segregation of the beverage 22 from the dry ice 20, the beverage must be served immediately upon pouring of the beverage 22 into the drinking vessel 2 because the dry ice 20 will sublimate and disappear and because the beverage 22 will be chilled to a temperature below which the desired smoking, boiling visual effect does not occur.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the drinking vessel 2. Partition 6 is in fixed engagement with wall 4. Bottom 18 and partition 6 cooperate to define first interior volume 14. Bottom 18 selectably engages wall 4 in a fluid-tight connection using any suitable engagement means, such as a snap connection or threads 34. Dry ice 20 is placed within first interior volume 14 and beverage 22 is poured through open rim 24. Beverage flows through perforations 12 but does not leak from the vessel 2 because of the fluid tight connection between wall 4 and bottom 18. Dry ice 20 sublimates, causing the boiling, smoking effect and chilling beverage 22.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a third embodiment. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10, bottom 18 is in fixed engagement with wall 4 and partition 6 selectably engages wall 4. Partition 6 is inserted into the drinking vessel 2 through open rim 24. Partition 6 slidably engages wall 4, securing partition 6 in place within drinking vessel 2 and confining dry ice 20 within the first interior volume 14.

In the third embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 7-9, the partition 6 has perforations 12. In the variation on the third embodiment illustrated by FIG. 10, partition has no perforations 12 and instead the diameter of partition 6 is less than the inside diameter of wall 4 of drinking vessel 2. The resulting space between the wall 4 and the partition 6 allows the beverage 22 to flow around partition 6 to reach dry ice and allows bubbles 26 of carbon dioxide to flow from dry ice 20. Spring members 36 resiliently engage wall 4, holding partition 6 in place within the drinking vessel 2.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a fourth embodiment. In the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, partition 6 selectably engages body 38. Partition 6 and body 38 together define first interior volume 14. Perforations 12 communicate between the first interior volume 14 and the area outside of the first interior volume 14. In use, dry ice 20 is placed within the first interior volume 14 and body 38 and partition 6 assembly is immersed in the beverage 22 in a drinking vessel 2. Spring clip 40 engages wall 4 and holds the partition 6 and body 38 assembly in place within drinking vessel 2. The spring clip 40 may be equipped with a ball 42 which may engage a corresponding depression 44 in wall 4 to hold the spring clip 40 in position. The beverage 22 flows through the perforation 12 into the first interior volume 14 and sublimated carbon dioxide gas 26 flows from the perforation 12, causing the boiling, smoking effect in the beverage 22.

FIG. 13 illustrates a tray 44 for use in serving beverages 22 using the drinking vessel 2 of the Invention. Tray 44 is equipped with electrical lights 46 such as light emitting diodes shining through the drinking vessel 2. As illustrated by FIG. 13, the electrical lights 46 may shine upwardly or laterally through the drinking vessel 2. A battery 48 powers the electrical lights 46 and a switch 50 allows the server to control the electrical lights 46. The electrical lights 46 cause the boiling, smoking beverage 22 and the mist 28 to glow, enhancing the visual effect of the Invention.

In describing the above embodiments of the invention, specific terminology was selected for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

Claims

1. An apparatus to contain dry ice submerged within a beverage to create a visual effect, the apparatus comprising:

a. a partition having a first side and a second side;

b. said partition being adapted to contain the dry ice on said first side of said partition;

c. said partition being further adapted to allow the beverage to flow from said second side of said partition to said first side of said partition when said partition is immersed in the beverage, thereby exposing the beverage to the dry ice contained on said first side of said partition;

d. said partition being further adapted to allow a bubble of sublimated carbon dioxide gas to move through said beverage from the dry ice contained on said first side of said partition to said second side of said partition, thereby creating the visual effect.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adaptation of said partition to contain the dry ice on said first side of said partition comprises:

a. a drinking vessel having a bottom, a wall engaging said bottom and an open rim defined by said wall;

b. said partition engaging said wall;

c. said partition, said wall and said bottom defining a first interior volume, said first interior volume being adapted to selectably contain the dry ice whereby the dry ice may be placed within the first interior volume and confined therein;

d. said wall, said open rim and said partition together defining a second interior volume, said second interior volume being adapted to receive the beverage.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adaptation of said first interior volume to selectably contain the dry ice comprises: said engagement between said partition and said wall is a fixed engagement, said engagement between said bottom of said drinking vessel and said wall being a selectable engagement, said bottom of said drinking vessel having an open and a closed position, said bottom when in said open position allowing insertion of the dry ice within said first interior volume, said bottom when in said closed position forming a liquid-tight connection between said bottom and said wall and confining the dry ice within said first interior volume.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said adaptation of said partition to allow said beverage to flow from said second side to said first side and said adaptation of said partition to allow sublimated carbon dioxide to flow from said first side to said second side comprise: a perforation penetrating said partition and placing said first and said second sides of said partition in fluid and pneumatic communication.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: a cap, said cap being adapted to selectably cover said perforation, said cap being adapted to substantially prevent said flow of the beverage through said perforation from said second side to said first side of said partition and to thereby substantially prevent contact between the dry ice located within said first interior volume and a beverage located within said second interior volume.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a tab, said tab being connected to said cap, said tab extending above an expected level of the beverage in said second volume whereby a server may lift said tab and remove said cap from said at least one perforation, thereby allowing the beverage to flow through said perforation and to contact the dry ice.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a tray, said tray having an electrical power supply and at least one electrical light, said tray being adapted to receive and to illuminate said drinking vessel.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adaptation of said first interior volume to selectably contain the dry ice comprises: said engagement between said partition and said wall being a selectable engagement, said partition being configured such that said partition may be inserted through said open rim of said drinking vessel and placed in engagement with said wall, thereby defining said first interior volume and thereby confining the dry ice.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said adaptation of said partition to allow said beverage to flow from said second side to said first side and said adaptation of said partition to allow a bubble of sublimated carbon dioxide gas to flow from said first side to said second side comprises: a perforation, said perforation penetrating said partition, said perforation thereby placing said first and said second sides of said partition in fluid and pneumatic communication.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a cap, said cap being configured to selectably cover said perforation and thereby selectably prevent the flow of the beverage through said perforation from said second side to said first side of said partition.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a tab, said tab being connected to said cap, said tab extending above an expected level of the beverage in said second volume whereby a server may lift said tab and remove said cap from said perforation, thereby allowing the beverage to flow through said perforation and to contact the dry ice.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a tray, said tray having an electrical power supply, a switch, and at least one electrical light, said tray being adapted to receive and to illuminate said drinking vessel.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adaptation of said partition to contain the dry ice on said first side of said partition comprises:

a. a body, said body being in selectable engagement with said partition, said body and said partition defining a first interior volume, said body and said partition having an open and a closed position, said body and said partition when in said open position allowing insertion of the dry ice into said first interior volume, said body and said partition when in said closed position confining the dry ice within said first interior volume;

b. a spring clip, said spring clip engaging said body or said partition, said spring clip being adapted to selectably and resiliently engage a wall of a drinking vessel whereby said spring clip retains said interior volume within said drinking vessel.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adaptation of said partition to contain the dry ice on said first side of said partition comprises:

a. a drinking vessel having a bottom, a wall engaging said bottom and an open rim defined by said wall, said partition being in fixed engagement with said wall;

b. a first interior volume defined by said partition and said bottom, said bottom of said drinking vessel being in selectable engagement with said wall of said drinking vessel, said bottom of said drinking vessel having an open and a closed position, said bottom being configured to allow insertion of the dry ice within said first interior volume when said bottom is in said open position, said bottom being configured to form a liquid-tight connection between said bottom and said wall when said bottom is in said closed position thereby selectably confining the dry ice within said first interior volume;

c. a second interior volume defined by said open rim and said partition, said second interior volume being adapted to receive the beverage;

d. said adaptation of said partition to allow said beverage to flow from said second side to said first side and said adaptation of said partition to allow a bubble of sublimated carbon dioxide gas to flow from said first side to said second side comprise: a perforation penetrating said partition and placing said first and said second sides of said partition in fluid and pneumatic communication.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: a cap, said cap being configured to selectably cover said perforation and to thereby substantially prevent contact between the dry ice located within said first interior volume and a beverage located within said second interior volume.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a tab, said tab being connected to said cap, said tab extending above an expected level of the beverage in said second volume whereby a server may lift said tab and remove said cap from said perforation, thereby allowing the beverage to flow through said perforation and to contact the dry ice.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a tray, said tray having an electrical power supply, a switch, and at least one electrical light, said tray being adapted to receive and to illuminate said drinking vessel.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adaptation of said partition to contain the dry ice on said first side of said partition comprises:

a. a drinking vessel having a wall and an open rim defined by said wall, said partition being in fixed engagement with said wall;

b. a bottom in selectable engagement with said wall;

c. a first interior volume defined by said wall, said partition and said bottom, said bottom of said drinking vessel having an open and a closed position, said bottom when in said open position being configured to allow insertion of the dry ice within said first interior volume, said bottom when in said closed position being configured to form a liquid-tight connection between said bottom and said wall and to confine the dry ice within said first interior volume;

d. a second interior volume defined by said open rim, said wall and said partition, said second interior volume being adapted to receive the beverage;

e. said adaptation of said partition to allow the beverage to flow from said second side to said first side of said partition and said adaptation of said partition to allow said bubble of sublimated carbon dioxide gas to flow from said first side to said second side comprise: at least one perforation penetrating said partition and placing said first and said second sides of said partition in fluid and pneumatic communication;

e. a cap, said cap being configured to selectably cover said perforation and to substantially prevent the flow of the beverage through said perforation from said second side to said first side of said partition and to thereby substantially prevent contact between the dry ice located within said first interior volume and the beverage located within said second interior volume;

f. a tab, said tab being connected to said cap, said tab extending above an expected level of the beverage in said second volume whereby a server may lift said tab and remove said cap from said perforation, thereby allowing the beverage to flow through said at least one perforation and to contact the dry ice.

19. An apparatus to create a visual effect within a beverage utilizing dry ice, the apparatus comprising:

a. a drinking vessel;

b. means to selectably contain the dry ice within said drinking vessel;

c. means to allow the beverage to contact the dry ice when the beverage is placed within said drinking vessel and to allow a bubble of sublimated carbon dioxide gas from the dry ice to pass through the beverage, thereby creating the visual effect.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a cap, said cap removably engaging said means to allow the beverage to contact the dry ice when the beverage is placed within said drinking vessel, said cap being configured to substantially prevent the beverage from contacting the dry ice when the beverage is placed within said drinking vessel.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: a tab, said tab being connected to said cap, said tab projecting above an expected level of the beverage when said beverage is placed within said drinking vessel, said tab being adapted to be gripped by a server whereby a server may remove said tab and said cap and allow the beverage to contact the dry ice.

22. A method of creating a visual effect in a beverage, the method comprising:

a. providing a drinking vessel;

b. providing a partition within said drinking vessel, said partition defining a first interior volume, said partition being adapted to contain a dry ice within said first interior volume, said partition having a perforation penetrating through said partition;

c. placing said dry ice within said first interior volume;

d. submerging said first interior volume in the beverage, whereby said beverage flows through said perforation and contacts said dry ice and whereby sublimation of said dry ice causes a bubble of carbon dioxide gas to pass through the beverage resulting in the visual effect.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein said partition cooperates with a drinking vessel wall and a drinking vessel bottom to define said first interior volume, said drinking vessel bottom having a first position and a second position, said drinking vessel bottom when in said first position being open to receive said dry ice, said drinking vessel bottom when in said second position being closed to contain said dry ice.

24. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

a. providing a cap, said cap selectably engaging said perforation, said cap selectably preventing the beverage from flowing through said perforation;

b. providing a tab, said tab attached to said cap, said tab being adapted to be gripped by a user whereby said user may grip and remove said tab, thereby removing said cap from selectable engagement with said perforation and allowing the beverage to flow through said perforation.