Device for Rapid Cooling of Beverages

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage chiller than can be used to rapidly cool beverages without the need for ice. The present invention also relates to a device for mixing beverages, i.e., a cocktail shaker, that does not require a cap. In one embodiment, the present invention is a lid for a beverage container. In one embodiment, the present invention is a device that can cool a beverage or beverage stream in a continuous, or nearly continuous manner, for example, the output of a coffee or tea brewing machine.

1 . A device for cooling or mixing beverages, comprising:
 a body comprising a base and a sidewall, wherein said body is configured to receive a lid, and wherein said base and said sidewall form a chamber suitable for holding a liquid;   a lid having a first opening, wherein said lid can be removably connected to said body,   a funnel connected to said lid, said funnel having a second opening; and   a splash disk connected to said lid or said body, wherein when said lid is connected to said body, said splash disk is positioned directly beneath said funnel in said chamber; and   wherein said first opening communicates with said second opening and said chamber when said lid is connected to said body, such that when a liquid enters said first opening, the liquid is directed through said funnel, through said second opening, and onto said splash disk.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is further directed by said splash disk onto the interior surface of said body, thereby cooling the liquid when said body is at a lower temperature than the temperature of the liquid entering said device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent or vent tube for allowing the pressure within said device to remain approximately equal to the pressure outside said device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said body comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said lid comprises an aeration screen in communication with said first opening. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises one or more apertures for allowing a beverage to flow out of said device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an o-ring to form a seal between said lid and said base. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a hand grip connected to the outside surface of said device. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the interior surface of said body comprises ridges or grooves. 
     
     
         10 . A device for cooling or mixing beverages, comprising:
 a body comprising a base and a sidewall, wherein said body is configured to receive a lid, and wherein said base and said sidewall form a chamber suitable for holding a liquid;   a lid having a first opening, wherein said lid can be removably connected to said body,   a funnel connected to said lid, said funnel having a second opening; and   a column extending from an interior surface of said base, wherein when said lid is connected to said body, said column is positioned directly beneath said funnel in said chamber; and   wherein said first opening communicates with said second opening and said chamber when said lid is connected to said body, such that when a liquid enters said first opening, the liquid is directed through said funnel, through said second opening, and onto said column.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the liquid is further directed by said column onto the interior surface of said body, thereby cooling the liquid when said body is at a lower temperature than the temperature of the liquid entering said device. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a vent or vent tube for allowing the pressure within said device to remain approximately equal to the pressure outside said device. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said lid comprises an aeration screen in communication with said first opening. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said base comprises one or more apertures for allowing a beverage to flow out of said device. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising an o-ring to form a seal between said lid and said base. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a hand grip connected to the outside surface of said device. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the interior surface of said body comprises ridges or grooves. 
     
     
         18 . A lid for a beverage container, comprising:
 a body, said body having a first opening,   a funnel connected to said body, said funnel having a second opening;   a splash disk connected to said body, wherein said splash disk is positioned directly beneath said funnel;   wherein said first opening communicates with said second opening and said chamber, such that when a liquid enters said first opening, the liquid is directed through said funnel, through said second opening, and onto said splash disk; and   a means for connecting said body to a beverage container, wherein a liquid-tight seal is formed between said body and said beverage container when said body is connected to said container.   
     
     
         19 . The lid of  claim 18 , further comprising a vent tube. 
     
     
         20 . The lid of  claim 18 , further comprising an aeration screen in communication with said first opening.