GB2280170A - Spirit measure - Google Patents

Abstract

A spirit measure for measuring for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a beverage is described, the measure comprising a cup-like container having a base (1) and an upstanding side wall (2) and whose interior volume is more than the predetermined quantity, the interior of the measure, or the exterior if the measure is of a transparent material, being formed with a discontinuity (2b) to indicate the level to which the container must be filled to dispense an accurate measure. The discontinuity may be a step or a change of surface texture. <IMAGE>

Description

SPIRIT MEASURE The present invention relates to spirit measures, and is particularly concerned with cup-type spirit measures for use in measuring and dispensing alcoholic beverages.

Hitherto, spirit measures have been made in the form of metallic or plastics cups which, when filled to the brim, contain a predetermined amount of liquid. Such measures are generally filled from a bottle, but the need to fill the measure to the brim causes the risk that some of the liquid may be spilt when the measure is picked up to pour the measured amount of beverage into a glass.

Spirit measures have also been manufactured from glass in the shape of measuring cups, an indicating line being applied to the glass by sand blasting or painting to indicate the level to which the measure must be-filled. Since the production of such measures requires at least a two-stage process, production costs are high.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a spirit measure which avoids this problem, by providing a cup-like container capable of holding more than the predetermined measure of beverage, and forming the interior of the measure, or the exterior if the measure is of a transparent material, with a discontinuity to indicate the level to which the container must be filled to dispense an accurate measure.

In an alternative embodiment, the measure may be adapted to dispense measures of more than one predetermined volume by providing a plurality of discontinuities on the measure, each discontinuity indicating the level to which the container must be filled to dispense an accurate measure of the corresponding volume.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an axial section of a spirit measure.

Referring now to Figure 1, the measure comprises a base 1 and a side wall 2, the side wall 2 being of conical form and diverging upwardly away from the base 1.

Adjacent its free edge 3, the side wall 2 is formed with a step 2a marking the boundary between a thicker, lower portion 2b and a thinner, upper portion 2c extending between the step 2a and the free edge 3.

The measure is so constructed that the volume bounded by the lower part of the side wall 2b, the base 1 and the step 2a corresponds to the volume of liquid to be measured.

In use, the measure is placed on a horizontal surface, and liquid is poured into the measure until the level of liquid reaches or passes the step 2a. The measure and liquid may then be safely lifted and dispensed by pouring it into a glass or the like, without the danger of any spillage of liquid reducing the dispensed quantity below the predetermined measured volume.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the measure is so constructed that its internal surface has two contrasting surface textures, for example a smooth surface to the interior face of the base 1 and to the adjacent areas of the side wall 2, and a roughened surface on the interior surface of the side wall 2 adjacent the free edge 3. The boundary between these areas of differently textured surface is so positioned that, when the predetermined volume of liquid is placed into the container, the level of the liquid coincides with the boundary between the areas of different surface texture.

In a further alternative embodiment, not shown, the measure is constructed from transparent plastics material and has a smooth interior surface but has its exterior surface formed with a step to indicate the level to which the measure must be filled.

Referring again to the drawing, it will readily be appreciated that the side wall 2 may be marked, either internally or externally, with indicia showing the volume of liquid measured by the measuring cup. Such indicia may conveniently be placed on the inside surface of the side wall 2, above the level of the step 2a.

The measure of the present invention is preferably formed by injection msulding from plastics material, and may be formed from transparent plastics material to enable the liquid being dispensed to be clearly seen.

The particular advantage of the measures of the present invention is that they may be injection moulded in a single stage process, with all the necessary markings moulded into the measure.

In particular, a single mould core conforming to the internal contours of the finished measure may be made and marked with the volume contained by the measure when filled to its internal step.

Such a mould core may be used in conjunction with a number of mould cavities forming the exterior surfaces of the measure, without the need for individual checking of the different measures so produced.

The fact that the same mould core is used to produce a range of different measures will ensure that the internal dimensions of all the measures are identical and thus the volume dispensed by the variously formed measures is identical.

In a further refinement of the production process, the mould core may be made with a different cone angle above the step 2a, so that the upper part of the measure is more 'flared' than the lower part. This will allow indicia to be placed on this part of the mould core, and will permit simple separation of the mould halves without the presence of the indicia causing the moulded article to be retained on the core.

Claims (8)

1. A spirit measure for measuring for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a beverage, comprising a cup-like container having a base and an upstanding side wall and whose interior volume is more than the predetermined quantity, the interior of the measure, or the exterior if the measure is of a transparent material, being formed with a discontinuity to indicate the level to which the container must be filled to dispense an accurate measure.

2. A spirit measure according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of discontinuities are provided on the measure, each discontinuity indicating the level to which the container must be filled to dispense an accurate measure of a corresponding quantity.

3. A spirit measure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each discontinuity is a radially extending step formed in the side wall of the measure.

4. A spirit measure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the discontinuity is a boundary between two areas of different surface texture on the side wall of the measure.

5. A spirit measure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the side wall is conical in form, and has a first cone angle at its region adjacent the base and a second, greater, cone angle at its region remote from the base, and wherein the or each discontinuity is a boundary between the two regions of differing cone angle.

6. A spirit measure according to any preceding claim, wherein the side wall is marked with indicia corresponding to the quantity to be dispensed.

7. A spirit measure according to claim 6, wherein the or each discontinuity is positioned between the indicia and the base.

8. A spirit measure substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.