Cocktail shaker with movable cover
A cocktail shaker is provided that includes a cup for receiving liquid ingredients and a lid for installing on the cup. The lid includes a base including an opening for dispensing the liquid ingredients out of the cocktail shaker, and a pressure relief hole for releasing air from the cup while dispensing the liquid ingredients out of the cocktail shaker through the opening. The lid also includes a cover movably coupled to the base for moving between a first orientation in which the cover covers the opening and the pressure relief hole, and a second orientation in which the opening and the pressure relief hole are uncovered. The lid further includes at least one elastically biasing the cover into the first orientation. The cover is movable from the first orientation into the second orientation by overcoming the biasing by the at least one elastically.
1. A cocktail shaker comprising:
a cup for receiving liquid ingredients;
a lid for installing on the cup, the lid including:
a base including:
an opening for dispensing the liquid ingredients out of the cocktail shaker; and
a pressure relief hole for releasing air from the cup while dispensing the liquid ingredients out of the cocktail shaker through the opening;
a cover movably coupled to the base for moving between a first orientation in which the cover covers the opening and the pressure relief hole, and a second orientation in which the opening and the pressure relief hole are uncovered; and
at least one elastic element biasing the cover into the first orientation, the cover being movable from the first orientation into the second orientation by overcoming the biasing by the at least one elastic element,
the cover comprising a first gasket portion for covering the opening in the first orientation and a second gasket portion for covering the pressure relief hole in the first orientation,
the first gasket portion and the second gasket portion defining a gap therebetween,
the cover being configured so that the movement of the cover into the second orientation by overcoming the biasing by the at least one elastic element allows the pressure relief hole to be uncovered, allowing air to flow out of the pressure relief hole and through the gap upon pouring of the liquid ingredients out of the opening.
2. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 1 , wherein the base includes:
an annular section for coupling to a top edge of the cup; and
a top wall including the opening and the pressure relief hole, the cover being slidably connected to the top wall.
3. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 2 , wherein the base further includes a retainer configured for connecting the cover to the top wall.
4. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 3 , wherein a first portion of the at least one elastic element is connected to the retainer and a second portion of the at least one elastic element is connected to the cover.
5. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 4 , wherein the at least one elastic element configured for being in an expanded orientation in the first orientation of the cover and in a contracted orientation in the second orientation of the cover, the at least one elastic element configured to be compressed by moving the cover from the first orientation to the second orientation.
6. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 4 , wherein the at least one elastic element configured for being in a contracted orientation in the first orientation of the cover and in an expanded orientation in the second orientation of the cover, the at least one elastic element configured to be expanded by moving the cover from the first orientation to the second orientation.
7. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 3 , wherein the at least one elastic element includes a first spring and a second spring,
a first end of the first spring being connected to the cover and a second end of the first spring being connected to the retainer,
a first end of the second spring being connected to the cover and a second end of the second spring being connected to the retainer.
8. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 3 , wherein the retainer defines a slot in which the cover is slidable between the first orientation and the second orientation.
9. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 8 , wherein the retainer includes a first lip on a first side of the slot and a second lip on a second side of the slot, the first and second lips configured for retaining the cover in the slot as the cover is slid between the first orientation and the second orientation.
10. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 9 wherein the retainer includes a first section defining the first side of the slot and including the first lip, a second section defining the second side of the slot and including the second lip, and a third section defining a longitudinal end of the slot, the cover being movable toward the third section when moving from the first orientation to the second orientation.
11. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the retainer includes a semi-circular outer perimeter when viewed from a top of the cocktail shaker, the semi-circular outer perimeter extending along the first section, the second section and the third section of the retainer.
12. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 2 , wherein the base further includes an inclined wall extending upward from an edge of the opening and away from the top wall, the inclined wall being at an obtuse angle with respect to the top wall.
13. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 2 , wherein the cover is slidably connected to the top wall for sliding parallel to the top wall.
14. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a finger grip for moving the cover from the first orientation to the second orientation.
15. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a sealing gasket for sealing the opening and the pressure relief hole in the first orientation.
16. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a strainer positioned below the opening, the strainer being configured to strain out ice from the liquid ingredients upon pouring of the liquid ingredients through the strainer and out of the opening.
17. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 16 , wherein the base includes an annular section configured for connecting to the cup, the strainer including a plate-shaped base configured for connecting to the annular section of the base, the plate-shaped base including a plurality of holes or slots formed therein.
18. A method of using the cocktail shaker as recited in claim 1 , the method sequentially comprising:
filling the cup with the liquid ingredients;
connecting the lid on top of the cup;
shaking the cocktail shaker to mix the liquid ingredients;
applying a force to the cover with a finger of a user to move the cover from the first orientation to the second orientation;
pouring at least some of the liquid ingredients out of the opening into a glass while the cover is in the second orientation; and
releasing the force applied to the cover to cause the elastic element to move the cover from the second orientation back into the first orientation.
19. The cocktail shaker as recited in claim 1 wherein the elastic element is positioned above the base,
the first gasket portion and the second gasket portion being on top of the base.
20. A cocktail shaker comprising:
a cup;
a lid for installing on the cup, the lid including:
a base having a first end configured to be retained within the cup and having an intermediate section, said base including:
a dispensing opening;
a strainer;
a pressure relief hole;
a sliding cover configured to selectively cover and uncover both the dispensing opening and the pressure relief hole; and
at least one elastic element configured to bias the sliding cover into a closed position covering the dispensing opening and pressure relief hole; and wherein
the intermediate section has a height which, when installed, extends above the cup and allows for one-handed operation of the sliding cover while holding the cocktail shaker.