Device and method for reducing carafe splashing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for reducing splashing of a liquid retained in a container such as a beverage carafe, when the container is moved. The splash reducing device having a body, defining a channel that permits passage of liquid through the device and into the container and resists outflowing of liquid, such as by splashing, when the container is moved. The device is removably retained at least partially covering an opening or in a neck of the container. The device also has a grip positioned generally outside of any surfaces which might be contacted by food or beverage.

1 . A splash reducing device for use with a beverage server, the splash reducing device comprising: 
 a body having at least one wall;    the wall defining a channel having a mouth and a port spaced from the mouth, the mouth generally having a cross sectional area which is greater than the cross sectional area of the port; and    a portion of the wall defining a pouring passage, generally spaced apart from the channel.    
     
     
         2 . The splash reducing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a grip extending from the body.  
     
     
         3 . The splash reducing device of  claim 2 , wherein the grip is positioned away from surfaces of the channel that contact beverage.  
     
     
         4 . The splash reducing device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is oriented to direct liquid passing through the channel away from the portion of the wall defining a pouring passage.  
     
     
         5 . The splash reducing device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is oriented to prevent passage of liquid from the container through the channel when the container is positioned for dispensing liquid through the pouring passage.  
     
     
         6 . The splash reducing device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is sized and dimensioned for positioning in a neck of a beverage server.  
     
     
         7 . The splash reducing device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is sized and dimensioned for positioning over an opening in beverage server.  
     
     
         8 . The splash reducing device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one retainer on the body for engaging the beverage server to removably retain the device on the server.  
     
     
         9 . The splash reducing device of  claim 8 , wherein the retainer is flexible for providing an interference fit with the beverage server.  
     
     
         10 . The splash reducing device of  claim 8 , wherein the retainer includes a leg extending from the body and a finger extending from the leg.  
     
     
         11 . The splash reducing device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two non-tortuous chimney passages, the non-tortuous passages being generally axially aligned with a neck of the server.  
     
     
         12 . The splash reducing device of  claim 11 , wherein the non-tortuous chimney passages include the channel in the device body and the pouring passage.  
     
     
         13 . The splash reducing device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is radially asymmetric.  
     
     
         14 . A splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server, the beverage server having a container portion and a handle attached to the container portion, a neck extending from the container portion having a mouth defining an opening through which beverage passes, the splash reducing device comprising: 
 a body having at least one wall;    the wall defining a channel having a mouth and a port spaced from the mouth, the mouth generally having a cross sectional area which is greater than the cross sectional area of the port;    the device generally being retained in the neck of the server with the channel communicating with the container; and    a portion of the wall defining a pouring passage relative to the neck and mouth of the server, generally spaced apart from the channel.    
     
     
         15 . The splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server of  claim 8 , further comprising a grip extending from the body of the device for gripping the device when inserting and removing the device relative to the server neck.  
     
     
         16 . The splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server of  claim 14 , wherein the grip is positioned away from surfaces of the channel that contact beverage.  
     
     
         17 . The splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server of  claim 14 , wherein the channel is oriented to direct liquid passing through the channel away from the portion of the wall defining a pouring passage.  
     
     
         18 . The splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server of  claim 14 , wherein the channel is oriented to prevent passage of liquid from the container through the channel when the container is positioned for dispensing liquid through the pouring passage.  
     
     
         19 . The splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one retainer on the body for engaging the beverage server to removably retain the device on the server.  
     
     
         20 . The splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server of  claim 19 , wherein the retainer is flexible for providing an interference fit with the beverage server.  
     
     
         21 . The splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server of  claim 19 , wherein the retainer includes a leg extending from the body and a finger extending from the leg.  
     
     
         22 . The splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server of  claim 14 , further comprising at least two non-tortuous chimney passages, the non-tortuous passages being generally axially aligned with a neck of the server.  
     
     
         23 . The splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server of  claim 22 , wherein the non-tortuous chimney passages include the channel in the device body and the pouring passage.  
     
     
         24 . The splash reducing device in combination with a beverage server of  claim 8 , wherein the body is radially asymmetric.  
     
     
         25 . A method of reducing splashing from a beverage dispenser, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a body having at least one wall, the wall defining a channel having a mouth and a port spaced from the mouth, the mouth generally having a cross sectional area which is greater than the cross sectional area of the port;    providing a portion of the wall defining a pouring passage, generally spaced apart from the channel;    dispensing beverage through the channel to the beverage dispenser; and    directing beverage which contacts the body back into the dispenser.