Agitator for beverage containers
AssigneeBrewLogix LLC
InventorRobert B. Eveleigh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments disclosed herein pertain to methods and apparatus for agitation of stored beverage containers to enhance the flavor of the beverage. Embodiments disclosed herein include devices that permit rotation of a beverage container supported by a weight sensor, and also rotation of one or more beverage containers in a stack. Also disclosed are devices for pivoting a container back and forth to create internal sloshing. Also disclosed are devices that permit agitation of a smaller beverage container stacked on top of a larger beverage container.
Claims34
An apparatus for supporting a beverage container, comprising:
- a weight sensor for measuring the weight of a beverage container, wherein the beverage container is symmetrical about an axis;
- a top platter having a top surface adapted and configured for supporting said weight sensor, and a bottom surface;
- and
- a bottom platter rotatably supporting said top platter for rotation of the beverage container about the axis, said bottom platter including means for coupling said bottom platter to the top of a beverage container.
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7-14. (canceled)
An apparatus for supporting a beverage container, comprising:
- a weight sensor assembly for measuring the weight of a beverage container, wherein the beverage container has a longitudinal axis, said assembly including a plurality of measurement stations circumferentially spaced apart;
- a first plurality of rotatable bearings;
- and
- a first platter having a top surface adapted and configured for supporting the bottom of the beverage container with the plurality of rotatable bearings, and a bottom surface, the bottom surface being adapted and configured to transfer the weight of the beverage container to the measurement stations.
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An apparatus for stacking of beverage containers, comprising:
- a top platter having a top surface adapted and configured for contacting the bottom of a top beverage container and supporting the weight of the top beverage container, the top beverage container having a longitudinal axis, and a bottom surface;
- a bottom platter having a periphery and rotatably supporting the bottom of said top platter for rotation of the top beverage container about the axis, said bottom platter including a bottom wall extending along at least a portion of the periphery for mounting said bottom platter to the top of a bottom beverage container;
- and
- a plurality of rotatable bearings located between the bottom of said top platter and the top of said bottom platter, said plurality of bearings transferring the weight from said top platter to said bottom platter.
29-30. (canceled)
An apparatus for stacking of beverage containers, comprising:
- a top platter having a top surface adapted and configured for contacting the bottom of a top beverage container and supporting the weight of the top beverage container, and a bottom surface, the top beverage container having a longitudinal axis;
- a bottom platter having a periphery and a bearing surface for rotatably supporting the bottom of said top platter, said bottom platter including a bottom wall extending along at least a portion of the periphery for mounting said bottom platter to the top of a bottom beverage container;
- and
- a first plurality of rotatable bearings located between the bottom of said top platter and the bearing surface of said bottom platter, said first plurality of bearings transferring the weight from said top platter to said bottom platter;
- wherein the shape of the bearing surface is adapted and configured to permit rotation of the top beverage container relative to the bottom beverage container along a rotational axis that is at least partly orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
An apparatus for stacking of beverage containers, comprising:
- a top platter having a top surface the top beverage container having a longitudinal axis, and a bottom surface;
- a platter assembly adapted and configured for contacting the bottom of a top beverage container and the top of a bottom beverage container and for supporting the weight of the top beverage container, said platter having a periphery and means for mounting said platter to the top of a bottom beverage container and means for limiting the lateral movement of the top beverage container when the top beverage container is located on said platter;
- and
- a first plurality of bearings spaced circumferentially around said platter and each at a location adapted and configured for contact with the top of said bottom beverage container and for transferring the weight of the top beverage container to the bottom beverage container.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.