System for Containing and Dispensing a Liquid, and Method for Pouring Ethanol from a Jar

Abstract

A liquid dispensing system is provided. The liquid is preferably a grain-based distilled spirit. The system comprises a liquid container such as a Mason jar having a two-piece lid. The system also has a circular pouring cap. The pouring cap has at least two through-openings punched through the pouring cap. The circular pouring cap has a diameter dimensioned to enclose the open upper end of the jar and to be sealed between a screw-type ring and the upper end. In this way, the blank circular cap and the circular pouring cap are interchangeable. The system may also have at least two corks. The corks are dimensioned to be frictionally received within the at least two through-openings. In this way, the through-openings are selectively sealed. A method for pouring an alcoholic liquid from a Mason jar is also provided.

1 . A liquid dispensing system, comprising:
 a liquid container having an open upper end with external threads;   a screw-type ring for threading onto the external threads;   a blank circular cap having a diameter dimensioned to enclose the open upper end, and to be sealed between the screw-type ring and the upper end; and   a circular pouring cap having at least two through-openings punched through the circular pouring cap, the circular pouring cap also having a diameter dimensioned to enclose the open upper end and to be sealed between the screw-type ring and the upper end of the liquid container, such that the blank circular cap and the circular pouring cap are interchangeable.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the blank circular cap and the circular pouring cap are removably secured together between the screw-type ring and the upper end of the liquid container. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid dispensing system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least two corks, with each cork dimensioned to be frictionally received within a corresponding through-opening for selectively sealing the through-openings.   
     
     
         4 . The liquid dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid container is a Mason jar. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the through-openings have been formed using a punch press. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid dispensing system of  claim 3 , wherein the corks are fabricated from either  quercus suber  or synthetic cork. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid dispensing system of  claim 3 , wherein the corks are fabricated from a synthetic elastomeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid dispensing system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a transparent bag for holding the circular pouring cap and the corks, wherein the transparent bag is connected to the Mason jar for retail sale.   
     
     
         9 . The liquid dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid container contains an alcoholic liquid for human consumption. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid dispensing system of  claim 9 , wherein the alcoholic liquid comprises ethanol. 
     
     
         11 . A method for pouring an alcoholic liquid from a Mason jar, comprising:
 providing a Mason jar, the Mason jar having an open upper end with external threads, a screw-type ring for threading onto the external threads, and a blank circular cap having a diameter dimensioned to enclose the open upper end, and to be sealed between the screw-type ring and the upper end;   providing a circular pouring cap, the pouring cap having at least two through-openings punched through the circular pouring cap, and having a diameter dimensioned to enclose the open upper end and to be sealed between the screw-type ring and the upper end of the liquid container, such that the blank circular cap and the circular pouring cap are interchangeable;   placing the circular pouring cap into a bag; and   providing the bag for the Mason jar for retail sale.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the through-openings have been formed using a punch press. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 providing corks dimensioned to be frictionally received within the at least two through-openings for selectively sealing the through-openings; and   placing the corks into the bag before retail sale.   
     
     
         14 . A method for pouring an alcoholic liquid from a Mason jar, comprising:
 providing a Mason jar, the Mason jar having an open upper end with external threads, a screw-type ring for threading onto the external threads, and a blank circular cap having a diameter dimensioned to enclose the open upper end, and to be sealed between the screw-type ring and the upper end;   providing a circular pouring cap, the pouring cap having at least two through-openings punched through the circular pouring cap, and having a diameter dimensioned to enclose the open upper end and to be sealed between the screw-type ring and the upper end of the liquid container, such that the blank circular cap and the circular pouring cap are interchangeable;   filling the Mason jar with a liquid alcohol fit for human consumption;   removably securing the blank circular cap and the circular pouring cap together between the screw-type ring and the open upper end of the jar; and   providing the Mason jar for retail sale.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 providing corks dimensioned to be frictionally received within the at least two through-openings for selectively sealing the through-openings; and   placing the corks into a bag before retail sale with the jar.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the corks are fabricated from  quercus suber  or synthetic cork. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alcoholic liquid comprises a fruit, spice, nut, grain, charcoal, rum or other flavoring. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bag is attached to the Mason jar for retail sale. 
     
     
         19 . A method for consuming an alcoholic liquid, comprising:
 unscrewing a screw-type ring from a Mason jar, wherein the Mason jar has an open upper end with external threads, a blank circular cap having a diameter dimensioned to enclose the open upper end, and a circular pouring cap, the pouring cap having at least two through-openings punched through the circular pouring cap, and having a diameter dimensioned to enclose the open upper end, and wherein the blank circular cap and the circular pouring cap are removably sealed between the screw-type ring and the upper end of the liquid container;   removing the blank circular cap and the circular pouring cap from the upper end of the Mason jar;   separating the blank circular cap from the circular pouring cap;   placing the circular pouring cap back onto the upper end of the Mason jar;   threadedly replacing the screw-type ring onto the Mason jar;   pouring a liquid alcohol fit for human consumption through one of the at least two through-openings into a beverage container for drinking; and   drinking the ethanol from the beverage container.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 placing a cork into each of the respective through-openings after the pouring, wherein the corks are each dimensioned to be frictionally received within the at least two through-openings