Method and device for protecting beer and other beverages from light energy

Abstract

The invention is a device and method for providing a protective shade covering for protecting a container of craft beer or similar, to reduce exposure of the beverage to light that may cause spoiling of the beverage. The device may consist of a base for placement upon a table or other surface, a back perpendicular to the base, and a top coupled to the back such that the top may be positioned over the top of a glass or tankard and provide a physical shield between the drink and light from a substantively overhead source such as a ceiling light or the sun. In preferred applications, the device may be provided as an amenity at a restaurant, taproom, or similar which serves tap beer to customers, particularly for enjoyment of the served beverage utilizing outdoor seating.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for protecting a beverage contained in a vessel from solar energy, the device comprising:
 a base, the base presenting a bottom planar surface and a top planar surface, wherein the bottom planar surface and the top planar surface are parallel to an x-y plane, the x-y plane defined by a mutually orthogonal x-axis and y-axis;   a wall, the wall coupled with the base and extending away from the base along a z-axis, wherein the z-axis is orthogonal to the x-y plane; and   a cover, the cover coupled with the base and at least partially covering the base from the viewpoint of the z-axis.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  comprising a material that impedes the transmission of sun energy. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  comprising aluminum. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  comprising a metal or metal alloy. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is coupled with the wall and with the base by means of the extension. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the cover is coupled with the wall at a location of the wall distal from the base. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover presents a planar cover inner surface that faces the base. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the planar cover inner surface is parallel with the x-y plane. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover presents a planar cover outer surface that faces away from the base. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the cover further presents a planar cover inner surface that faces the base, wherein the planar cover outer surface and the planar cover inner surface are parallel. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the planar cover outer surface and the planar cover inner surface are parallel with the x-y plane. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover presents a cover signage. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wall presents a wall signage. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wall extends along the x-axis of the x-y plane. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wall extends along the y-axis of the x-y plane. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the wall further extends along both the x-axis and the y-axis of the x-y plane. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wall presents a curved cross parallel to the x-y plane section at at least one location of the wall. 
     
     
         18 . A device for protecting a beverage contained in a vessel from solar energy, the device comprising:
 a wall, the wall rotatably coupled with the base and extending away from the base along a z-axis, wherein the z-axis is orthogonal to an x-y plane, wherein the wall is sized and shaped to partially encompass the vessel; and   a cover, the cover coupled with the wall and positioned to at least partially occlude the vessel from the viewpoint of the z-axis.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , further comprising a base, the base coupled with the wall distally from the cover, and the base comprising a bottom planar surface and a top planar surface, wherein the bottom planar surface and a top planar surface are parallel with the x-y plane. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the wall presents a curved cross section at positions parallel to the x-y plane.