Safe beverage dispensing apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and methods for safe dispensing of a hot liquid, the system comprising a receptacle for holding a liquid, an apparatus for heating the liquid in the receptacle and a dispensing apparatus, disposed outside said receptacle, for dispensing said liquid from the receptacle to a receiving vessel, wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises a safety device for safe release of the liquid to the receiving vessel.

1 . A system for safe dispensing of a hot liquid, the system comprising:
 a) a receptacle for holding a liquid;   b) an apparatus for heating said liquid in said receptacle to form a hot liquid; and   c) a dispensing apparatus, in fluid communication with said receptacle, for dispensing said liquid from said receptacle to a receiving vessel, wherein said dispensing apparatus comprises a safety device, disposed outside said receptacle, for safe release of said hot liquid to said receiving vessel.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said system is a kettle system. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2 , wherein said receptacle is a kettle jug. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein said safety device is housed in said dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4 , wherein said dispensing apparatus comprises a handle. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein said handle comprises an internal conduit in fluid communication with said receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein said safety device is operative to release said hot liquid via an aperture in said handle. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein said aperture is disposed on a lower side of said handle. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 8 , wherein said aperture faces downwards so as to release said liquid in a vertical stream to said receiving vessel. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein a height of said aperture above a lower surface of said system is less than 20 cm. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein said height is less than 15 cm. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein said aperture is adapted to be disposed at a vertical distance of less than 10 cm above an upper surface of said receiving vessel. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein said receiving vessel is selected from a cup, a mug, a beaker and a glass. 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a liquid release button on said handle, operative to release said liquid via said aperture. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical safety mechanism for preventing untoward release of a hot liquid via said dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15 , constructed to enable dispensing of said hot liquid from at least one of:
 a) a spout; and   b) a safety mechanism housed in said dispensing apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein said safety mechanism is adapted to be in a closed position when pouring from said spout. 
     
     
         18 . A method for safely dispensing a hot liquid, the method comprising:
 a) heating a liquid in the system of  claim 1  to form a hot liquid; and   b) dispensing said hot liquid via said dispensing apparatus to said receiving vessel via said safety device.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said hot liquid is hot water. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein said method is adapted to enable a movement-disabled user to safely dispense hot water without having to lift said receptacle. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said dispensing step is performed at least in part via an electric pump. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said dispensing step comprises:
 a) holding said handle with at least part of a first hand; and   b) pulling back said handle with one finger of said hand, thereby dispensing said hot liquid to said receiving vessel.   
     
     
         23 . A system for safe dispensing of a cold liquid, the system comprising:
 a) a receptacle for holding a volume of at least one liter of said cold liquid; and   b) a dispensing apparatus, in fluid communication with said receptacle, for dispensing said liquid from said receptacle to a receiving vessel, wherein said dispensing apparatus comprises a safety device, disposed outside said receptacle, for safe release of said cold liquid to said receiving vessel.   
     
     
         24 . A method for safely dispensing a cold liquid, the method comprising:
 a) storing said cold liquid in the system of  claim 23 ; and   b) dispensing said cold liquid via said dispensing apparatus to said receiving vessel via said safety device.   
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein said dispensing step comprises:
 a) holding said handle with at least part of a first hand; and   b) pulling back said handle with one finger of said first hand, thereby dispensing said cold liquid to said receiving vessel.