Beverage taste-testing apparatus and related methods

Abstract

A beverage taste-testing apparatus having: a beverage-cup holding component that is configured to hold a beverage cup; the beverage-cup holding component mounted to a tray component; the tray component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component that is configured to permit the tray component to rotate in a first or second direction relative to a base component; the rotatable-interface component releasably or fixedly attached to the base component; the base component or the tray component configured to receive an end portion of a cover component; the cover component configured to rest upon the base component or the tray component; the cover component resting upon the base component or the tray component; and the cover component further configured to at least substantially enclose the beverage-cup holding component.

Description

[0001] TITLE OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Beverage Taste-Testing Apparatus and Related Methods

[0003] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0004] This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 63 / 709,482 that has a filing date of October 20, 2024. The subject matter of U.S. provisional patent application 63 / 709,482 is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] There remains a need for a beverage taste-testing apparatus and related methods that allow a user to perform unbiased taste-testing comparisons of beverages. Unbiased taste-testing comparisons allow a user to compare beverage tastes without knowing the identity of beverages that are being taste tested. This allows a user to make an impartial determination on the better or best tasting liquid(s) or beverage(s) without being swayed by having prior knowledge of the source or manufacturer of the particular liquid(s) or beverage(s) being tasted.

[0007] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A beverage taste-testing apparatus having: a beverage-cup holding component that is configured to hold a beverage cup; the beverage-cup holding component mounted to a tray component; the tray component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component that is configured to permit the tray component to rotate in a first or second direction relative to a base component; the rotatable-interface component releasably or fixedly attached to the base component; the base component or the tray component configured to receive an end portion of a cover component; the cover component configured to rest upon the base component or the tray component; the cover component resting upon the base component or the tray component; and the cover component further configured to at least substantially enclose the beverage-cup holding component.A beverage taste-testing apparatus having: a beverage-cup holding component that is configured to hold a beverage cup; the beverage-cup holding component releasably mounted to a tray component; the tray component having a mounting component that is configured to allow the beverage-cup holding component to be mounted thereon; the tray component having an inner region and a perimeter wall; the perimeter wall having a perimeter-wall section shape that repeats for the length of the perimeter wall; the perimeter wall having at least one perimeter-wall section shape that extends radially away from the tray-component inner region; the tray component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component that is configured to permit the tray component to rotate in a first or second direction relative to a base component; the rotatable-interface component releasably or fixedly attached to the base component; the base component or the tray component configured to receive an end portion of a cover component; the cover component configured to rest upon the base component or the tray component; the cover component resting upon the base component or the tray component; the cover component further configured to at least substantially enclose the beverage-cup holding component; the cover component being substantially opaque; and the cover component configured to rest upon the base component and the cover component having a cover-component end-portion spacing configuration that allows a user to touch the perimeter wall while the cover component rests upon the base component.

[0009] A beverage taste-testing apparatus having: a tray component that includes a beverage-cup holding configuration; a turning component fixedly or removably attached to the tray component, wherein the turning component is configured to allow a user to rotate the tray component in a first or second direction relative to a base component; the tray component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component that is configured to permit the tray component to rotate in a first or second direction relative to the base component; the rotatable-interface component releasably or fixedly attached to the base component; the base component or the tray component configured to receive an end portion of a cover component; the cover component configured to rest upon the base component or the tray component; the cover component resting upon the base component or the tray component; and the cover component atleast substantially enclosing the beverage-cup holding configuration while the cover component rests upon the base component or the tray component.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Fig. 01 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0012] Fig. 02 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cover component.

[0013] Fig. 02A is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a cover component.

[0014] Fig. 03 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a base component.

[0015] Fig. 04 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tray component that includes a magnified view.

[0016] Fig. 04A is a cross-sectional side view of a tray component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component.

[0017] Fig. 05 is a perspective view of a beverage-cup holding component.

[0018] Fig. 05A is a cross-sectional side view of a beverage-cup holding component.

[0019] Fig. 06 shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0020] Fig. 07 shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0021] Fig. 08 shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0022] Fig. 08A shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0023] Fig. 09 shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0024] Fig. 09A shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0025] Fig. 09B shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0026] Fig. 09C shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.Fig. 10 shows a left-side image of a thumb holding a beverage-cup holding component as it is being mounted on a tray component, and a right-side image of a beverage-cup holding component that has been mounted on a tray component.

[0027] Fig. 10A shows a left-side image of a thumb holding a beverage-cup holding component as it is being mounted on a tray component, and a right-side image of a beverage-cup holding component that has been mounted on a tray component.

[0028] Fig. 11 shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0029] Fig. 12 shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0030] Fig. 12A shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0031] Fig. 13 shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0032] Fig. 14 shows a step in using an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0033] Fig. 15 is a side view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0034] Fig. 16 is a side view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0035] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0036] Fig. 18 is a top view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0037] Fig. 19 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0038] Fig. 20 is a side view of an embodiment that includes a base component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component, a tray component releasably or fixedly attached to the rotatable-interface component, and beverage-cup holding components mounted to the tray component.

[0039] Fig. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment that includes a base component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component, a tray component releasably or fixedly attached to the rotatable-interface component, and beverage-cup holding components mounted to the tray component.

[0040] Fig. 22 is a top view of an embodiment that includes a base component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component, a tray component releasably or fixedly attached tothe rotatable-interface component, and beverage-cup holding components mounted to the tray component.

[0041] Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional side view of a beverage-cup holding component.

[0042] Fig. 24 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0043] Fig. 25 is a top view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0044] Fig. 26 is a side view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0045] Fig. 27 is a perspective view of an embodiment that includes a base component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component, a tray component releasably or fixedly attached to the rotatable-interface component, and a turning component releasably or fixedly attached to the tray component.

[0046] Fig. 28 is a side view of an embodiment that includes a base component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component, a tray component releasably or fixedly attached to the rotatable-interface component, and a turning component releasably or fixedly attached to the tray component.

[0047] Fig. 29 is a top view of an embodiment that includes a base component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component, a tray component releasably or fixedly attached to the rotatable-interface component, and a turning component releasably or fixedly attached to the tray component.

[0048] Fig. 30 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus.

[0049] Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus. Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a beverage taste-testing apparatus. Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment that includes a base component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component, a tray component releasably or fixedly attached to the rotatable-interface component, and a turning component releasably or fixedly attached to the tray component.

[0050] Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment that includes a base component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component, a tray component releasably or fixedly attached to the rotatable-interface component, and a turning component releasably or fixedly attached to the tray component.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] Embodiments are directed to a beverage taste-testing apparatus and related methods that allow a user to perform taste-test comparisons of two or more liquids or beverages without the user knowing the brand or manufacturer of the liquid(s) or beverage(s) being taste tested.

[0052] Very generally, impartial taste testing is achieved with apparatus embodiments and associated methods by allowing a user to:

[0053] i) pour separate beverages into separate beverage cups,

[0054] ii) position or place the beverage cups into cup-holding configuration(s) within the apparatus,

[0055] iii) use or mark identification components that identify a specific beverage within a specific beverage cup,

[0056] iv) position or place the identification components into identification-component holding configurations associated with each of the cups or beverages that the identification components respectively identify,

[0057] v) place an at least substantially opaque cover over the cups,

[0058] vi) spin or rotate the cups within the apparatus to thereby confuse the user’s understanding of the original position of the cups and beverages,

[0059] vii) remove the cover,

[0060] viii) perform a “blind” or random taste sampling of the beverages, and then

[0061] ix) discover the identity of each beverage by viewing the identification component associated with each beverage or beverage cup.

[0062] In a first embodiment, and with reference to the figures, beverage taste-testing apparatus 100 includes base component 160, rotatable-interface component 150, tray component 130, at least two beverage-cup holding components 110, cover component 170, and at least two identification components 190. In embodiments, beverage taste-testing apparatus 100 further includes beverage cup(s) 120.

[0063] Base component 160 supports beverage taste-testing apparatus 100 and is indirectly attached to tray component 130 via rotatable-interface component 150. Embodiments allow for base component 160 to be releasably or fixedly attached to rotatable-interface component 150, androtatable-interface component 150 may be releasably or fixedly attached to tray component 130. Rotatable-interface component 150 can be any known useful mechanical element, device, or configuration that is useful for allowing a first mechanical element to rotate about a second mechanical element; as a non-limiting example, an arrangement of ball bearings is a useful embodiment of rotatable-interface component 150. Useful embodiments of rotatable-interface component 150 can be selected by persons having ordinary skill in the art without having to exercise undue experimentation.

[0064] In use, base component 160 rests upon a surface and rotatable-interface component 150 allows tray component 130 to rotate freely or spin any number of degrees in first direction 152 or second direction 154 relative to base component 160 in a fixed position.

[0065] In embodiments, tray component 130 has tray-component central mounting component 131 and tray-component perimeter mounting component 132 that are cooperatively configured to enable beverage-cup holding component 110 to be releasably mounted thereto. In embodiments, one, two, three, or four beverage-cup holding component 110 may be mounted upon tray component 130. Beverage-cup holding component(s) 110 that are mounted to tray component 130 rest upon tray-component inner region 134. Beverage-cup holding component(s) 110 is configured to hold beverage cup 120.

[0066] Tray component 130 has perimeter wall 136 that defines the outermost portions, radially outward from tray-component central mounting component 131 and tray-component inner region 134, of tray component 130. In embodiments, perimeter wall 136 has perimeter-wall section shape 138 that repeats at least twice, and in embodiments, perimeter-wall section shape 138 repeats a plurality of times to thereby define perimeter-wall length 140. In embodiments, perimeter wall 136 has perimeter-wall section-shape configuration 142 that extends radially outward and away from tray-component inner region 134; in embodiments, perimeter- wall section-shape configuration 142 facilitates a user’s ability to grip, rotate, or spin tray component 130 in first direction 152 or second direction 154 relative to base component 160 in a fixed position.

[0067] In embodiments, cover component 170 has end portion 172 having a cover-component endportion configuration 174 that enables cover component 170 to directly or indirectly rest upon base component 160 or tray component 130. Persons having ordinary skill in the art will be able to determine useful cover-component end-portion configurations 174 useful for direct or indirectresting upon base component 160 or tray component 130 without having to exercise undue experimentation. In resting configuration 180, cover component 170 rests directly or indirectly upon base component 160 or tray component 130. For clarity, “directly resting upon base component 160 or tray component 130” means that the two components touch one another in a resting position, z.e., there is no intervening component between cover-component end portion 172 and base component 160 or tray component 130. “Indirect resting upon base component 160 or tray component 130” means that there is an intervening element, such as rubber padding or any suitable cushioning element, between cover-component end portion 172 and base component 160 or tray component 130; in other words, the two components do not touch one another in resting configuration 180.

[0068] In embodiments, either base component 160 or tray component 130 is configured to support cover component 170 via direct or indirect contact with cover component end portion 172.

[0069] In embodiments, cover component 170 has cover-component enclosing configuration 176 that is configured to at least substantially enclose tray component 130 and beverage-cup holding component(s) 110 while cover component 170 rests upon the base component 160 or tray component 130. Substantial enclosure of beverage-cup holding component(s) 110 helps to prevent a user from seeing or visually identifying beverage-cup holding component(s) 110 and beverage cup(s) 120 positioned within beverage-cup holding component(s) 110. In embodiments, cover component 170 is at least substantially opaque and prevents a user from seeing through cover component 170.

[0070] In embodiments, cover component 170 has cover-component end-portion spacing configuration 178 that has spaced openings that enable a user to touch, and thereby rotate, tray component 130 via tray-component perimeter wall 136.

[0071] In embodiments, at least one identification component 190 has a marking space, that allows a user to identify a liquid or beverage within beverage cup 120 with a marking or indicator, e.g., by marking identification component 190 using an erasable marker. In embodiments, identification component(s) 190 rests within the associated identification-component holding configuration 192 for the associated beverage-cup holding component 110 holding identified beverage cup 120.In a second embodiment, and with reference to the figures, beverage taste-testing apparatus 1000 includes base component 1060, rotatable-interface component 1050, tray component 1030 having tray-component beverage-cup holding configuration 1032 and identification-component holding configuration(s) 1090, cover component 1070, and at least two identification components 1092. In embodiments, beverage taste-testing apparatus 1000 further includes beverage cup(s) 1020.

[0072] Base component 1060 supports beverage taste-testing apparatus 1000 and is indirectly attached to tray component 1030 via rotatable-interface component 1050. Embodiments allow for base component 1060 to be releasably or fixedly attached to rotatable-interface component 1050, and rotatable-interface component 1050 may be releasably or fixedly attached to tray component 1030. Rotatable-interface component 1050 can be any known useful mechanical element, device, or configuration that is useful for allowing a first mechanical element to rotate about a second mechanical element; as a non-limiting example, an arrangement of ball bearings is a useful embodiment of rotatable-interface component 1050. Useful embodiments of rotatable-interface component 1050 can be selected by persons having ordinary skill in the art without having to exercise undue experimentation.

[0073] In use, base component 1060 rests upon a surface and rotatable-interface component 1050 allows tray component 1030 to rotate freely or spin any number of degrees in first direction 1052 or second direction 1054.

[0074] In embodiments, tray component 1030 has tray-component beverage-cup holding configuration 1032 that enables tray component 1030 to support and hold beverage cups 1020.

[0075] Fixedly or removably attached to tray component 1030 is turning component 1040 that extends axially from tray component 1030 and facilitates a user’s ability to grip, rotate, or spin tray component 1030 in first direction 1052 or second direction 1054.

[0076] In embodiments, cover component 1070 has cover-component end portion 1072 having a covercomponent end-portion configuration 1074 that enables cover component 1070 to directly or indirectly rest upon base component 1060 or tray component 1030. Persons having ordinary skill in the art will be able to determine useful cover-component end-portion configurations 1074 useful for direct or indirect resting upon base component 1060 or tray component 1030 withouthaving to exercise undue experimentation. In resting configuration 1080, cover component 1070 rests directly or indirectly upon base component 1060 or tray component 1030. For clarity, “directly resting upon base component 1060 or tray component 1030” means that there is no intervening component between cover-component end portion 1072 and base component 1060 or tray component 1030. “Indirect resting upon base component 1060 or tray component 1030” means that there is an intervening element, such as rubber padding or any suitable cushioning element, between cover-component end portion 1072 and base component 1060 or tray component 1030; in other words, the two components do not touch one another in resting configuration 1080.

[0077] In embodiments, either base component 1060 or tray component 1030 is configured to support cover component 1070 via direct or indirect contact with cover component end portion 1072. In embodiments, cover component 1070 has cover-component enclosing configuration 1076 that is configured to at least substantially enclose tray component 1030 and tray-component beverage-cup holding configuration 1032 while cover component 1030 rests upon base component 1060 or tray component 1030. Substantial enclosure of tray component 1030 and tray-component beverage-cup holding configuration 1032 helps to prevent a user from seeing or visually identifying tray-component beverage-cup holding configuration 1032 and beverage cup(s) 120 positioned within tray-component beverage-cup holding component(s) 1010. In embodiments, cover component 1070 is at least substantially opaque and prevents a user from seeing through cover component 1070.

[0078] In embodiments, cover component 1070 has cover-component top-orifice configuration 1078 that allows turning component 1040 to extend therefrom while cover component 1070 rests upon base component 1060 or tray component 1030. By allowing turning component 1040 to extend from cover-component top-orifice configuration 1078, a user may turn or rotate turning component 1040 and thereby turn or rotate tray component 1030 any number of degrees in first direction 1052 or second direction 1054.

[0079] In embodiments, at least one identification component 1092 has a marking space, that allows a user to identify a liquid or beverage within beverage cup 1020 with a marking or identifier, e.g., by marking identification component 1092 using an erasable marker. In embodiments, identification component(s) 1092 rests within identification-component holding configuration1090 associated with a specific beverage cup 1020 within tray-component beverage-cup holding configuration 1032.

[0080] As shown in the figures, a useful method for using apparatus embodiments includes: filling beverage cups 120 / 1020 with different beverages (Fig. 06), marking identification component 190 / 1092 with the identity of the respective beverages (Fig. 07), loading beverage cups 120 / 1020 with different beverages into beverage-cup holding component 110 / tray-component beveragecup holding configuration 1032 and placing identification component 190 / 1092 into associated identification-component holding configuration 192 / 1090 (Fig. 08, 08 A), mounting beveragecup holding component 110 to tray component 130 (Fig. 09, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10, and 10A), placing cover component 170 / 1070 over beverage cups 120 / 1020 and into resting position 180 / 1080 (Fig. 11), rotating tray component 130 / 1030 (Fig. 12 and 12A), removing cover component 170 / 1070, tasting the beverages (Fig. 13), and reviewing the associated identification components 190 / 1092 associated with each beverage (Fig. 14).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A beverage taste-testing apparatus comprising:a beverage-cup holding component that is configured to hold a beverage cup;the beverage-cup holding component mounted to a tray component;the tray component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component that is configured to permit the tray component to rotate in a first or second direction relative to a base component;the rotatable-interface component releasably or fixedly attached to the base component;the base component or the tray component configured to receive an end portion of a cover component;the cover component configured to rest upon the base component or the tray component; the cover component resting upon the base component or the tray component; andthe cover component further configured to at least substantially enclose the beverage-cup holding component.

2. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the beverage-cup holding component is releasably mounted to the tray component.

3. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tray component has a mounting component that is configured to allow a beverage-cup holding component to be mounted thereon.

4. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:an identification component configured to allow a user to identify a beverage cup.

5. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cover component is substantially opaque.

6. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tray component has an inner region and a perimeter wall.

7. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the perimeter wall has a perimeter- wall section shape that repeats for the length of the perimeter wall.

8. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the perimeter wall has at least one perimeter-wall section shape that extends radially away from the tray-component inner region.

9. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cover component is configured to rest upon the base component and the cover component has a cover-component end-portion spacing configuration that allows a user to touch the perimeter wall while the cover component rests upon the base component.

10. A beverage taste-testing apparatus comprising:a beverage-cup holding component that is configured to hold a beverage cup;the beverage-cup holding component releasably mounted to a tray component;the tray component having a mounting component that is configured to allow the beverage-cup holding component to be mounted thereon;the tray component having an inner region and a perimeter wall;the perimeter wall having a perimeter-wall section shape that repeats for the length of the perimeter wall;the perimeter wall having at least one perimeter-wall section shape that extends radially away from the tray-component inner region;the tray component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component that is configured to permit the tray component to rotate in a first or second direction relative to a base component;the rotatable-interface component releasably or fixedly attached to the base component;the base component or the tray component configured to receive an end portion of a cover component;the cover component configured to rest upon the base component;the cover component resting upon the base component;the cover component further configured to at least substantially enclose the beverage-cup holding component;the cover component being substantially opaque; andthe cover component having a cover-component end-portion spacing configuration that allows a user to touch the perimeter wall while the cover component rests upon the base component.

11. A beverage taste-testing apparatus comprising:a tray component that includes a beverage-cup holding configuration;a turning component fixedly or removably attached to the tray component, wherein the turning component is configured to allow a user to rotate the tray component in a first or second direction relative to a base component;the tray component releasably or fixedly attached to a rotatable-interface component that is configured to permit the tray component to rotate in a first or second direction relative to the base component;the rotatable-interface component releasably or fixedly attached to the base component;the base component or the tray component configured to receive an end portion of a cover component;the cover component configured to rest upon the base component or the tray component; the cover component resting upon the base component or the tray component; andthe cover component at least substantially enclosing the beverage-cup holding configuration while the cover component rests upon the base component or the tray component.

12. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:an identification component configured to allow a user to identify a beverage cup;13. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cover component is substantially opaque.

14. The beverage taste-testing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cover component is configured to allow the turning component to extend therefrom and thereby allow a user to touch the turning component while the cover component rests upon the base component or the tray component.

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