US4595121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for dispensing and preserving bottled degradable liquids such as wine and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-05-22
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Granted: 1986-06-17
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Expires: 2005-05-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are provided for dispensing degradable beverages, such as wine, from a pressure-intolerant container such as a glass bottle, while insuring that gaseous contaminants such as oxygen cannot enter the bottle. In the system provided, a pressure-limiting gas container admits a non-degrading gas into the bottle under a safe dispensing pressure to dispense the beverage. The apparatus is configured (and the method steps are arranged) to insure that no pressure substantially higher than the dispensing pressure can ever be present in the bottle, even upon failure of any or all pressure-limiting elements in the system. Between dispensing episodes, air and other contaminants are excluded from the bottle by means of structure, including suitably arranged, quick-acting, self-closing valves.
Inventors
- 👤 Sheldon Schultz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:46
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/08; B67D1/0878; B67D1/0882; B67D1/0885; B01; B01F; B01F25/00; B01F25/30; B01F25/31; B01F25/312; B01F2101/00; B01F2101/06; B01F2101/16; B01F2101/17; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
Apparatus for preventing spoilage of a degradable beverage during dispensing of the beverage from a glass bottle and during storage of the beverage in the bottle between dispensing events, comprising: elastic balloon means for being filled with a non-degrading gas when said balloon means is not attached to said bottle in preparation for dispensing of said beverage, for attaching to said bottle to supply dispensing pressure during dispensing of said beverage, and for detaching from said bottle for storage of said bottle, said balloon means selected such that it will burst if said gas has a pressure that is above a preselected safe dispensing pressure for said bottle; and dispensing means for controllably dispensing the beverage from said bottle under the influence of said gas in said balloon means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
Apparatus for preventing spoilage of a degradable beverage during dispensing of the beverage from a glass bottle and during storage of the beverage in the bottle between dispensing events, comprising: elastic balloon means for being filled with a non-degrading gas when said balloon means is not attached to said bottle in preparation for dispensing of said beverage, for attaching to said bottle to supply dispensing pressure during dispensing of said beverage, and for detaching from said bottle for storage of said bottle, said balloon means selected such that it will burst if said gas has a pressure that is above a preselected safe dispensing pressure for said bottle; and dispensing means for controllably dispensing the beverage from said bottle under the influence of said gas in said balloon means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising isolation means for excluding degrading gases and other contaminants from said bottle during dispensing of said beverage and during storage of said beverage in said bottle between dispensing events.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said isolation means comprises: cap means for sealing said bottle; valve means for excluding degrading gases and other contaminants from said bottle during dispensing and when said balloon means is not attached to said bottle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said dispensing means comprises a dispensing valve in said cap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said dispensing means comprises conduit means between said beverage and said dispensing valve for moving beverage from inside said bottle to said dispensing valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said dispensing means comprises aeration means for aerating said beverage as it is dispensed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said dispensing means comprises filter means for removing undesired matter from said beverage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said elastic balloon means comprises a balloon having an orifice for filling said balloon with said non-degrading gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said dispensing means is adapted to receive said orifice of said balloon for attaching said balloon to said dispensing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said gas in said balloon is the only supply of dispensing pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising high pressure gas storage and transfer means for filling said balloon from said orifice when said orifice is not attached to said dispensing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein the balloon is attached to the dispensing means in a manner which does not limit the volume of the balloon.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for preventing spoilage of a degradable beverage during dispensing of the beverage from a glass bottle and during storage of the beverage in the bottle between dispensing events, comprising the steps of: (1) admitting a non-degrading gas from a high pressure supply into an elastic balloon which will burst if said gas in said balloon has a pressure above a pre-selected safe dispensing pressure for said bottle; (2) after step (1), disconnecting said balloon from said gas supply; (3) after step (2), connecting said balloon to said bottle; (4) admitting said gas from said balloon under its own pressure from said balloon into said bottle; and (5) controllably dispensing the beverage from said bottle using the pressure caused by introducing gas from said balloon into said bottle.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for preventing spoilage of a degradable beverage during dispensing of the beverage from a glass bottle and during storage of the beverage in the bottle between dispensing events, comprising the steps of: (1) admitting a non-degrading gas from a high pressure supply into an elastic balloon which will burst if said gas in said balloon has a pressure above a pre-selected safe dispensing pressure for said bottle; (2) after step (1), disconnecting said balloon from said gas supply; (3) after step (2), connecting said balloon to said bottle; (4) admitting said gas from said balloon under its own pressure from said balloon into said bottle; and (5) controllably dispensing the beverage from said bottle using the pressure caused by introducing gas from said balloon into said bottle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of excluding degrading gases and other contaminants from the bottle during said controllable dispensing of the beverage and during storage of the beverage in the bottle between dispensing events.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 comprising the step of purging said bottle of degrading gases prior to dispensing beverage from said bottle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 comprising the step of purging said balloon of degrading gases prior to filling with a non-degrading gas.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-16 | 1989-12-16 | 1990-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-16 | 1993-12-16 | 1994-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-16 | 1997-12-16 | 1998-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |