US3424347A - Drinking devices - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 28, 1969 J. E. TRODGLEN, JR 3,424,347

DRINKING DEVICES Filed Feb. 21, 1967 mvsmon I James E.Trodglen Jr.

yam 5,12% 94.

United States Patent 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for puncturing a pressurized container and dispensing the contents of the container through a spout. The apparatus includes a tube providing communication through the puncturing means and the spout with manually operated valve means for selectively controlling the flow of fluid through the tube.

This invention relates to the drinking of carbonated soft drinks from metal cans, and more particularly to a device that is designed to be attached to said metal cans, the attachment of which also punctures a small hole in the bottom of the can, for the purpose of allowing the liquid contents, under pressure of carbon dioxide gas to flow therefrom, said fiow to be directed and controlled by a hand operated, spring loaded valve. When empty said can may then be simply disengaged and discarded, while at the same time easily replaced with another full can. My invention being a permanent device is reusable many times" over.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a useful and amusing new way to drink a carbonated soft drink from a metal can utilizing the pressure of CO gas Within the can, to force the liquid contents out.

Another object of my invention is to provide for the maintaining of CO gas pressure within the can, by means of a normally closed valve, to prevent the drink remaining in the can from losing its carbonation and going flat.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent spilling the liquid contents of the can in the event that said can with drinking device attached is accidentally tipped over.

A further object of this invention is to provide a convenient dispenser for a carbonated drink mixer used in connection with the drinking of alcoholic beverages.

A still further object of my invention is to provide amusement for children of all ages.

Certain variations of the embodiment and further important objects of my invention will become apparent to persons familiar with the general art, upon inspecting the detailed specification that follows and the references therein to the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the device, with a can attached. This view is partially in cross section taken along line 1-1 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2 is a view partially in cross section taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1. The metal can is not shown in FIGURE 2.

Like characters of references are used throughout the following specification and the accompanying drawings to designate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the drawings, the device comprises a body 3 that could best be molded of a tough semi-flexible plastic material. The lower portion or base 4 of said body 3 is molded to receive the bottom of a drink can 5 as seen in FIG. 1, while the upper portion or neck 6 of the body 3 extends upwardly adjacent to the vertical side of can 5 and terminates with a clip 8 molded into and being a part of the top of neck 6 for the purpose of clipping, by the slight spring action of the plastic itself, over the upper rim 9 of can 5, thus preventing can 5 from becoming disen- 3,424,347 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 gaged, until so desired. When the previously unopened can of carbonated drink 5 is shoved downwardly into the base 4 the bottom of the can 5 is punctured by a sharp pin 7 with a bore through its center, to permit the liquid contents of the can 5, to flow therefrom. A neoprene rubber gasket 10 is disposed around the puncturing pin 7 and compressed slightly by contact with the smooth bottom surface of the can 5, preventing any leaks that might otherwise develop, as seen clearly in both views.

In FIGURE 1, a proper length of suitable plastic tubing 11 is slipped-over and connected firmly to the downward end of puncturing pin 7. The liquid flowing, under pressure of CO gas, from the can 5 and through the bore of puncturing pin 7 enters the plastic tubing 11 and is there by conducted upwards through the vertical slot 12 of the neck 6. The plastic tubing 11 passes through an upwardly extending groove 13 molded into the inner side of the plastic valve lever 14 situated vertically within the slot 12 and thus bypassing unobstructed the valve spring 15. This spring may be a compression type coil spring, but preferably a leaf spring suitably riveted to the inner surface of slot 12 by two rivets 19 as shown in FIGURE 1. The said spring 15, being under tension, urges the lower end of valve lever 14 in an outwards direction relative to the vertical slot 12 of the neck 6 thereby causing the valve lever 14 to pivot on the valve lever pin 16. Essentially a metal rivet which passes transversely through mating holes 20 of valve lever 14 and neck 6 is then held pennanently in place after the manner of rivets.

As shown clearly in FIGURE 1, the plastic tubing 11 is pinched fiat by the upper portion 17 of the valve lever 14 urged by the action of the valve spring 15 thus stopping the flow of liquid from the can 5 through the plastic tubing 11 and out the spout at 18. In use, my invention, with a can of carbonated soft drink attached, is held in the hand with the spout 18 directed into ones mouth, or glass of alcoholic beverage. Pressure of the thumb or fingers on the valve lever 14 further compresses the valve spring 15 and pivoting on the lever pin 16 causes the upper portion of the valve lever at 17 to release its pressure on plastic tubing 11 thus permitting the liquid contents of can 5 to squirt from the spout at 18.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art after a careful study hereof. All such, properly within the basic spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included and comprehended herein as fully as if specifically described, illustrated and claimed herein.

The exact compositions, configurations, constructions, relative positionings, and cooperative relationships of the various component parts of the present invention are not critical, and can be modified substantially within the spirit of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention specifically described and illustrated herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is to be interpreted in the light of the prior art and the appended claim only, with due consideration for the doctrine of equivalents.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing pressurized fluid from a sealed container comprising an open top body, container penetrating means carried by said body in a position to penetrate the lower portion of said container, said body having a neck portion extending upwardly adjacent to said container and terminating in a spout, means in said neck portion for connecting the upper portion of said container to said body, said neck portion having a groove extending generally vertically through said spout, a tube having at least a flexible portion disposed within said groove, one end of said tube being connected to said container penetrating means and the opposite end of said tube being located within said spout and providing communication between the interior of the container and said spout, an operating handle pivotally mounted on said neck portion, means on said handle for engaging the flexible portion of said tube within said groove and adapted to compress such flexible portion to prevent the discharge of fluid therethrough, and spring means normally urging said tube engaging means of the operating handle against said tube, when the operating handle is released, whereby said tube provides communication between said container and said spout and said operating handle normally compresses the tube to prevent flow through said tube until the tube compressing means is removed therefrom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,571,798 10/1951 Urch.

599,383 2/1898 Bunnell et al. 25 1-9 X 945,879 l/1910 Wardwell 25l9 2,112,625 3/1938 Jackson 251-9 2,184,397 12/ 1939 Nelson 3 22288 2,259,863 10/1941 Smith 22288 2,536,221 1/1951 Rector et al 22288 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

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