WINE STORAGE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS

• US 20120018450A1
• Filed: 07/22/2011
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vinocopia, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vinocopia, Inc.
• Inventors: Malinski, Jon M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,596,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/105
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0009 provided with cooling arrangements cooling perse F25
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0038 the liquid being stored in an intermediate container prior to dispensing
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/02 using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/801 Bags
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/806 Dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/006 specially adapted for cooling receptacles, e.g. tanks

Abstract

An apparatus for storing and dispensing wine comprises a housing formed substantially in the shape of a wine barrel. The housing including a circumferential wall, a first closed end and a second open end. A spigot for selectively dispensing wine is supported by and positioned through the first closed end of the housing. A removable insert disposable within the housing through the second open end contains a collapsible bladder of wine. A wine dispensing port is contained within the bladder and insert. With the insert positioned within the housing, the port is positioned proximate the second open end thereof. A conduit in fluid communication with the spigot extends from the first closed end toward the second open end. Upon disposing the insert within the housing, the conduit is connectable to the port wherein the wine can be selectively dispensed from the spigot.

Claims

1. A system for storing and dispensing wine comprising:

a housing formed substantially in the shape of a wine barrel, the housing including a circumferential wall, a first closed end and a second open end;

a spigot for selectively dispensing wine, the spigot supported by and positioned through the first closed end of the housing;

a removable insert disposable within the housing through the second open end, the insert containing a collapsible bladder of wine with a port for dispensing the wine, the wine dispensing port positioned proximate the second open end opposite the spigot with the insert disposed within the housing; and

a conduit extending from the first closed end toward the second open end, the conduit in fluid communication with the spigot, whereupon disposing the insert within the housing, the conduit is connectable to the port wherein the wine is selectively dispensed from the spigot.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the conduit is a telescoping conduit positionable between a first retracted position and a second extended position, wherein disposing the insert through the second open end of the housing, the conduit is positionable toward the second extended position to facilitate connection with the port, wherein fully disposing the insert within the housing the conduit is positionable toward the first retracted position.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the telescoping conduit includes a first length of tubing disposed within a second length of tubing, the first length of tubing slidably engageable with the second length of tubing.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the insert comprises:

a rectangular base member;

a first semi-circular end wall extending from the base member;

a second semi-circular end wall extending from the base member, the first end wall and the second end wall opposing one another, the first end wall having a greater radius than the second end wall; and

a circumferential wall extending from the base member between the first end wall and the second end wall, wherein the base member extends at a declining angle from the second end wall towards the first end wall, wherein the insert disposes within the housing to position the second end wall proximate the first closed end, wherein wine contained within the bladder is gravitationally drawn towards the port positioned proximate the first end wall opposite the spigot.

5. The system of claim 1 and further comprising a refrigerating mechanism to chill wine contained within the insert, the refrigerating mechanism comprising:

a heat pump extending through an aperture contained within a bottom portion of the housing;

a thermally conductive block engaged to the heat pump; and

a thermally conductive shroud supported by the block, the shroud having a rectangular base and circumferential wall configured to receive and support the insert.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the shroud base extends within the housing from the first closed end to the second open end at a declining angle.

7. The system of claim 5 and further comprising insulation positioned between an outer surface of the shroud and an inner surface of the housing.

8. An apparatus for refrigerating and dispensing pre-packaged wine, the apparatus comprising:

a housing formed substantially in the shape of a wine barrel, the housing including a first circumferential wall, a first closed end and a second open end;

a spigot for selectively dispensing wine, the spigot supported by and positioned through the first closed end of the housing;

an electric heat pump extending through an aperture contained within a bottom portion of the housing, the heat pump for expelling thermal energy out of the housing;

a thermally conductive shroud connected to the heat pump, the shroud having a rectangular base and a second circumferential wall configured to conform with the first circumferential wall of the housing;

a conduit extending from the first closed end toward the second open end, the conduit in fluid communication with the spigot, wherein an insert containing the pre-packaged wine disposes within the housing through the second open end to be received by the shroud, wherein the conduit is fluidly connectable to the insert proximate the open end of the housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the conduit is a telescoping conduit positionable between a first retracted position and a second extended position, wherein disposing the insert through the second open end of the housing, the conduit is positionable toward the second extended position to facilitate fluid connection with the insert, wherein fully disposing the insert within the housing the conduit is positionable toward the first retracted position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the telescoping conduit includes a first length of tubing disposed within a second length of tubing, the first length of tubing slidably engageable with the second length of tubing.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 and further comprising a thermally conductive block engaged to the heat pump and supporting the shroud, wherein the block contains an aperture, wherein the conduit disposes through the aperture.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 and further comprising insulation positioned between an outer surface of the shroud and an inner surface of the housing.