Method of and apparatus for the bottom-up filling of beverage containers

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for filling specially-designed beverage containers from the bottom through a one-way port. One embodiment of the invention employs an umbrella valve ( 19 ) mounted in a perforated stopper ( 18 ), which is interference-fitted into the bottom of a beverage container ( 11 ). When brought into contact with concentric o-ring seals ( 12,17 ) on a fluid delivery assembly ( 13 ), vacuum suction ( 14, 16 ) fixtures the beverage container ( 11 ) down to the fluid delivery assembly ( 13 ), creating a liquid-tight channel for fluids to be fed through. Fluids originate in a pressurized reservoir and are fed through a fluid feed-in ( 15 ), forcing the umbrella valve ( 19 ) open and allowing flow of fluid into the interior volume ( 20 ) of the beverage container. Upon completion of filling, the reservoir is depressurized, allowing the umbrella valve ( 19 ) to snap shut. The beverage container ( 11 ) can now be decoupled from the fluid delivery assembly ( 13 ) and employed as desired. Other embodiments are described and shown.

1 . A beverage container, comprising:
 a vessel defining an interior volume with a hole or permeable channel penetrating through a wall of the vessel, with said hole or permeable channel distinct from an existing mouth of the vessel and located beneath the free surface of fluid in said beverage container when full;   an outflow mitigation apparatus fitted to said hole or permeable channel.   
   
   
       2 . The beverage container of  claim 1  wherein the outflow mitigation apparatus comprises of a duckbill valve. 
   
   
       3 . The beverage container of  claim 1  wherein the outflow mitigation apparatus comprises of an umbrella valve. 
   
   
       4 . The beverage container of  claim 1  wherein the outflow mitigation apparatus comprises of a permeable membrane. 
   
   
       5 . The beverage container of  claim 1  wherein the beverage container includes more than one hole or permeable channel and at least one outflow mitigation apparatus per hole or permeable channel. 
   
   
       6 . The beverage container of  claim 1  wherein the outflow mitigation apparatus has a first configuration to receive fluid when engaged with a fluid delivery apparatus and a second configuration to prevent fluid leakage when disengaged from a fluid delivery apparatus. 
   
   
       7 . A fluid delivery system for use with one or more beverage containers, the system comprising:
 a beverage container defining an interior volume with a hole or permeable channel penetrating through a wall of the beverage container, with said hole or permeable channel distinct from an existing mouth of the beverage container and located beneath the level of fluid in the beverage container when full;   a leakage prevention member for sealing with the impermeable outer surface of said beverage container;   a fluid delivery assembly comprising of one or more passages through which pressurized fluid can be brought into the interior volume said beverage container, where the passage is in fluid communication with at least one fluid source.   
   
   
       8 . The fluid delivery system of  claim 7  comprising a plurality of beverage containers and fluid delivery assemblies, sealed to one another and brought into fluid communication with one another through said holes or permeable channels, permitting flow of fluids into said interior volumes of said beverage containers. 
   
   
       9 . The fluid delivery system of  claim 7  in which said fluid delivery assembly is oriented beneath the bottom of said beverage container. 
   
   
       10 . The fluid delivery system of  claim 7  in which gas-phase fluids are flowed through said fluid delivery assembly and employed in agitating the contents of said beverage container. 
   
   
       11 . The fluid delivery system of  claim 7  in which, when the container is decoupled, allows independent operation of said beverage container through said existing mouth without leakage through said hole or permeable channel. 
   
   
       12 . A beverage container filling method comprising:
 providing a beverage container having an opening distinct from a mouth of the container from which a user drinks or pours the beverage, wherein the opening is configured to allow fluid to enter but prevent fluid from leaking out the opening once inside the beverage container;   filling of said beverage container through the opening distinct from the mouth, without leakage.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 13  wherein filling comprises of bottom up filling. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein filling comprises of side filling. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the opening is located beneath a free surface of fluid that is delivered into the beverage container. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein filling comprises of introducing fluid below a level of fluid inside the beverage container. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein mechanical force is developed between the beverage container and said fluid delivery assembly in order to develop a seal therebetween, allowing bottom-up filling of said beverage container without leakage. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the filling occurs in a pressurized manner to induce fluid mixing inside the container. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the filling occurs in a directional manner to induce fluid mixing inside the container. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising minimizes frothing of the fluid by introducing fluid into the container at a level beneath a free surface of fluid already in the container.