ES2983972T3 - Tasting glass - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tasting glass (1) for liquid foods, in particular oil, comprising a main body (10) provided with a drinking opening (2), said main body (10) comprising a cup-like base part (10a), configured to be held in the palm of a user's hand, and an upper part (10b) curved so as to define an external decanting tank (3) suitable for receiving the liquid to be tasted, wherein said external tank (3) houses means (4) for filtering the liquid and said base part (10a) comprises an internal tasting chamber (5) in communication with said opening (2) and positioned so as to receive the liquid by pouring from said external tank (3), the general configuration being such that, in a drinking position of the glass (1), said internal chamber (5) allows the liquid to be directed towards said opening (2) and said external tank (3) is intended to at least partially receive the user's nose. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Tasting glass

Technical sector of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the sector of containers for tasting food products in liquid form. The present invention, in particular, relates to an oil tasting glass.

State of the prior art

In the sector of procedures for tasting liquid food products, such as, for example, wine, beer, oil, etc., the use of containers, commonly called glasses, is widespread, in fact suitable for containing a minimum quantity of liquid food that allows the user (taster) to carry out an olfactory, gustatory and visual analysis.

Particularly in trade fair contexts and in particular in connection with the tasting procedures for extra virgin olive oil (EVO) or even other types of oil, a known drawback is related to the widespread use of glasses made of plastic material, such as, for example, the common coffee glass.

Containers of this type, which are often small in size, prevent the user from bringing the product to be tasted close to both the mouth and the nose, thus allowing a complete and correct evaluation of the organoleptic characteristics. In addition, plastic materials are often opaque and do not allow good oxygenation, thus conditioning the user's perception, especially in the oil tasting procedure, which requires considerable attention to the sensory faculties. EVO oil, in fact, presents a considerable sensorial complexity that can only be perceived, understood and improved by knowing the correct tasting procedures.

In some cases, especially in the educational and training sector, one of the tricks adopted is to use “official” tasting glasses, i.e. generally blue glass glasses, although also available in a transparent version. However, these glasses are only suitable for professional analysis by expert tasters, and are not suitable for use by non-expert users. Official glasses, in fact, have a classic tulip shape with a foot that suggests a simple use as a glass, but does not invite the less expert user to independently perform the ritual gestures for a correct tasting of the oil.

For example, both Patent CN 112167923 A and Patent US2012/167775 A1 disclose a wine tasting glass in which, in the first case, spherical filtering means are arranged to dose the amount of wine to be tasted and, in the second case, decanting means supported by a foot that penetrates the glass cup are disclosed. Additional examples are shown in Patent DE 29915432 U1, which discloses a tulip-shaped glass, comprising an element to contain the beverage so that it can be smelled when drinking, and in Patent US2007/048411 A1, which describes a container with several compartments to contain different products. Patent CN112167923 A discloses a tasting glass according to the preamble of claim 1.

Brief description of the invention

The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is therefore to overcome the problems shown above and to provide a tasting glass as defined in claim 1. Other features of the present invention are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.

The invention relates to a tasting glass for liquid foods, in particular oil, preferably extra virgin olive oil (EVO), comprising a main body provided with an opening for drinking. The main body comprises a cup-shaped base part, with a shape for holding in the palm of a user, and a curved upper part, to define an external decanting vessel, suitable for receiving the liquid to be tasted.

The outer container houses means for filtering the liquid and the base part comprises an internal tasting chamber which is in communication with said opening and is positioned to receive the liquid by pouring it from the outer container.

The general configuration of the glass, in the drinking position, is such that the tasting chamber allows the liquid to be directed towards the opening, and the external container is intended to at least partially receive the user's nose.

The main body comprises a single continuous containment wall having two opposite faces, wherein a first face defines said internal chamber and a second face defines said external container.

Advantageously, the invention therefore provides a tasting glass whose shape, in addition to having aesthetic value, is functional, since the actions carried out by the user during its use necessarily correspond to those provided for by a correct formal tasting.

During tasting, the user, for example, can simultaneously perform an olfactory analysis near the external reservoir, by perceiving the fragrances released by the oil, and a flavour analysis by bringing the mouth close to the opening of the glass and introducing the oil into the oral cavity.

Specifically, all the elements that make up the inventive glass contribute to the sensory improvement of liquid foods, so that the tasting is as complete and pleasant as possible.

In other words, the specific structural combination of an external decanting vessel and an internal tasting chamber superimposed on each other makes it possible to considerably reduce the strict complexity of the professional tasting process which results from being implemented in simple intuitive gestures, guided by the very structure of the glass.

Furthermore, advantageously, the glass to which the invention refers is made of glass, preferably transparent, to maintain the organoleptic properties of the food to be tasted unchanged and allow full visibility through the main body, to appreciate not only the density, as required by a professional tasting, but also the color of said food.

The tasting glass of the invention therefore makes it possible to guarantee, even to a neophyte or less expert taster, complete sensory stimulation during the tasting experience, activating a synaesthetic process that highlights the food.

Other advantages, together with the characteristics and modes of use of the present invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments thereof, shown by way of example and not for limiting purposes.

Brief description of the figures

Reference will be made to the drawings shown in the figures, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a general view of a tasting glass according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and suitable for receiving liquid foods, in particular olive oil;

- Figure 2 shows the glass of Figure 1 turned to a frontal position with respect to the view of a user in incipient tasting conditions;

- Figures 3A, 3B, 3C show an enlarged detail of a first, second and third embodiment of the filter media of the vessel shown in Figure 1, respectively.

The thicknesses and curves shown in the figures mentioned above should be understood as purely exemplary and are not necessarily shown in proportion.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

The present invention will be described below with reference to the above-mentioned figures.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a tasting glass of a liquid food product, in particular oil, preferably extra virgin olive oil (EVO), is shown, according to the present invention, and is designated as a whole with the reference 1.

In the present context, the term “tasting” is intended to designate the set of techniques, processes and tools that allow the evaluation of the organoleptic properties of a liquid food by tasting a generally small quantity of said food.

The advantageous technical effect of the tasting glass 1 of the invention is mainly obtained by its combined use with edible oil, in particular olive oil, preferably of the EVO type. Therefore, in the following in this description, for convenience, we will refer to edible oil as the liquid food intended to be received in the glass of the invention. However, it is not excluded that additional liquid foods related to the sector of tasting methods as defined above may be suitable for use with said glass, such as, for example, spirits or infusions.

The preferred use of the tasting glass of the invention is in trade fair environments, in educational and training contexts for tasters and, more generally, in culinary and gastronomic techniques. The reference productive sector of the present invention is preferably table tools and utensils, both in the domestic field and in catering, being preferably applied in commercial establishments, such as restaurants and farmhouses, that offer one or several types of EVO oil.

In general terms, the vessel 1 provides a main body 10 comprising a cup-shaped base part 10a and a curved upper part 10b. The main body 10 has an opening 2 for tasting or drinking the oil received in the vessel 1.

Said cup-shaped base part 10a has a shape that allows it to be held in the palm of a user's hand. It therefore has sizes and overall dimensions suitable for such handling. Said upper part 10b is curved to define an external decanting vessel 3 suitable for receiving the oil to be tasted. During use of the glass, the oil to be tasted (not shown in the figures) is poured into said external vessel 3.

The base part 10a comprises an internal tasting chamber 5 which is in fluid communication with said opening 2 and is positioned to receive the liquid by pouring it from said external container 3.

In other words, according to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the tasting vessel 1 integrates a structure with two chambers superimposed on each other that perform different but synergistic functions. As can be seen in the figures, said external decanting vessel 3 comprises a bottom 3a that is suspended in the internal tasting chamber 5.

The general configuration of the glass 1 is such that, in the drinking position, said tasting chamber 5 allows the liquid to be directed towards said opening 2, and said external reservoir 3 is intended to at least partially receive the user's nose.

The main body 10 consists of a single continuous liquid-containing wall, having two opposite faces. Said single continuous part extends starting from a substantially flat area 10’a. of said base part 10a configured to support the vessel on a surface.

Said wall comprises a first face 1a defining the internal chamber 5 and a second face 1b defining the external container 3. Specifically, the first face 1 is directed towards said internal chamber 5. Near the base part 10a, the second face 1b, under a condition for holding the glass 1, is directed into contact with the palm of the user's hand. Near the top part 10b, the second face 1b defines the concavity of the external decanting container 3.

It will be appreciated that this solution allows to easily obtain a monolithic structure with a double chamber, without the need to arrange elements to be assembled together.

The main body 10 is preferably made of a glass material and, even more preferably, of a material transparent to light. In this way, it is possible to preserve the organoleptic properties of the oil and allow full visibility of the contents of the glass 1 in order to correctly assess the density and colour of said food.

In the illustrated embodiment, the drinking opening 2 has an elongated shape, substantially like a crescent, with a shape so as to be able to receive the user's lips at rest. Said opening 2 is obtained in the cup-shaped base part 10a and develops along a circumferential direction, preferably near an area connecting with the upper part 10b.

Preferably, the outer container 3 is housed in the inner tasting chamber 5 and has a perimeter edge 3e in common with the drinking opening 2.

Advantageously, the glass 1 does not have a cover or covering element, since the specific double-chamber configuration described above makes it possible to avoid accidental spillage of the oil and to preserve the aroma inside.

In fact, the external tank 3 is positioned so that it covers the upper part of the internal chamber 5, preventing the oil from evaporating and/or accidentally spilling during the handling of the glass 1 in the pre-tasting gestures or during the tasting itself.

The outer container 3 also houses means 4 for filtering the liquid and is open at the top.

In the preferred embodiment of the vessel 1, the outer container 3 occupies a smaller volume than the inner tasting chamber 5. The smaller volume of the outer container 3 advantageously allows for better chromatic enhancement and oxygenation of the oil. A larger volume of the inner tasting chamber 5 allows for better collection of the oil and further development of the aroma emission.

Specifically, the outer container 3 has a shape with a general rotational symmetry about an axis O incident with a second axis a orthogonal to said flat area 10'a of the base part 10a for supporting the glass 1. Preferably, the outer container 3 has a substantially paraboloid-type shape or a hemispherical hollow geometric shape.

This characteristic translates into an overall inclined shape of the glass 1, specifically the upper part 10b, which, in addition to providing a strong aesthetic impact, develops the sensation of immersion during the act of tasting, making the olfactory and gustatory experience coincide.

In fact, during tasting, the user who places the opening 2 on his lips, turning the glass 1 to introduce the oil into the oral cavity, will bring the external reservoir 3 closer to his own nose which will be at least partially inside it and will be invested with an orchestra of aromas and flavours capable of enriching the taste experience.

Advantageously, the stimulation of several senses, sequentially or simultaneously, facilitates the perception of the organoleptic characteristics of the oil.

As mentioned above, the outer container 3 houses means 4 for filtering the oil which, in a preferred embodiment, comprise a rolling element and a through hole 4b obtained in the bottom 3a of the outer container 3.

With further reference to Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, the rolling element is preferably implemented in the form of a sphere or marble, 4a and is freely movable within the outer container 3. The geometry of the outer container 3 is such that the rolling element 4a finds a stable equilibrium position in the through hole 4b.

The through hole 4b is at a minimum distance from the external container 3 of the flat area 10'a for supporting the glass 1. Preferably, the through hole 4b is located on an axis a orthogonal to the plane comprising said flat area 10'a. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the through hole 4b has a circular geometric shape compatible in size with the geometric shape of the sphere 4a.

The rolling element is shaped to partially occupy the through hole 4b, reducing the oil passage hole from said external container 3 to the internal chamber 5.

Specifically, the hole 4b comprises an oil passage hole comprising a notch, preferably placed near the edge connecting with the second face 1b defining the external container 3. Said notch has a shape such that it prevents the marble 4a from completely obstructing the hole 4b.

The notch may include a pair of raised and opposed elements, such as ribs protruding from the continuous wall of the main body 10. Said notch keeps the marble sufficiently separated, for example elevated, with respect to the hole passage opening 4b, allowing the oil to flow, however, correctly from the external container 3 to the internal chamber 5.

This configuration of the filtering media makes it possible to make the vessel of the invention functional while keeping the oil passage hole to a minimum, so as not to compromise the chromatic enhancement and oxygenation of the oil. The presence of the rolling element, preferably made of solid glass, acts as a filter in the external tank 3, slowing down the descent of the oil, which can flow gently into the tasting chamber 5, thus improving the vaporization of the aromatic components.

Slowing down the flow of the oil further improves oxygenation and enhances the chromatic aspect. The rolling element, in particular marble 4a, can be characterised by different surface treatments and can be selected according to the type of oil to be tasted and/or the auditory sensations to be emphasised.

Preferably, said treatments are so that the rolling surface of the sphere 4a can be substantially smooth (Figure 3A) or generally irregular, for example, sandblasted (Figure 3A) or faceted (Figure 3C).

It will be appreciated that the filtering means just described, in particular the free movement of the marble 4a in the outer container 3, allow the user to be spontaneously stimulated to rotate the glass 1, carrying out a fundamental step (oxygenation) in the professional tasting of oils.

Furthermore, the rolling of the marble 4a advantageously makes it possible to obtain even an acoustic stimulation during the tasting, generating a sound effect capable of suggesting to the user the sensory characteristics of the oil.

The present invention has been described so far with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that each of the technical solutions implemented in the preferred embodiments, described herein by way of example, could be advantageously combined within the scope of the claims.

Claims (7)

1. A tasting glass (1) for a liquid food, in particular oil, comprising a main body (10) provided with an opening (2) for drinking, said main body (10) comprising a cup-shaped base part (10a), with a shape for holding in the palm of a user's hand, and a curved upper part (10b), to define an external decanting vessel (3) suitable for receiving the liquid to be tasted, wherein said external vessel (3) houses filtering means (4) for the liquid and said base part (10a) comprises an internal tasting chamber (5) in communication with said opening (2) and positioned in such a way as to receive the liquid poured from said external vessel (3), the general configuration being such that, in a position for drinking from the glass (1), said internal chamber (5) allows the liquid to be directed towards said opening (2) and said external vessel (3) is intended to receive at least partially the user's nose, characterized by said main body (10) consists of a single continuous containment wall having two opposite faces, wherein a first face (1a) defines said internal chamber (5) and a second face (1b) defines said external container (3). 2. Tasting glass (1) according to claim 1, wherein said external container (3) has a shape with a general rotational symmetry about a first axis (O) incident with a second axis (a) orthogonal to a substantially flat area (10'a) of said base part (10a) for supporting the glass (1) on a surface. 3. Tasting glass (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said external container (3) is housed in said internal chamber (5) and provided with a perimeter edge (3e) in common with said opening (2). 4. Tasting glass (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said main body (10) is a monolithic body made of a glass material. 5. Tasting glass (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said main body (10) is made of a transparent material. 6. Tasting glass (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said filtering means (4) comprises a rolling element (4a) free to be movable and shaped to partially occupy a through hole (4b) obtained at the bottom of said external container (3). 7. Tasting glass (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said rolling element (4a) has a spherical shape and comprises a smooth or irregular rolling surface.