WINE STORAGE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS

• US 20140048559A1
• Filed: 10/29/2013
• Published: 02/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vinocopia, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vinocopia, Inc.
• Inventors: Malinski, Jon M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,499,386 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. An apparatus for dispensing pre-packaged wine, the wine containable within an insert, the apparatus comprising:

a housing configured substantially in the shape of a wine barrel, the housing including;

a circumferential wall;

a front face fixedly connected to a first end the wall; and

a removable back panel attachable to an opposing second end of the wall;

a floor member disposed within the housing extending from the front face toward the back panel;

a spigot for selectively dispensing wine, the spigot supported by and positioned through the front face of the housing below the floor member; and

a conduit positioned within the housing below the floor member, the conduit connected to the spigot and extending toward the second end of the wall, wherein the insert containing the pre-packaged wine is disposable within the housing through the second end of the wall with the back panel removed, the insert supportable by the floor, wherein the conduit is fluidly connectable to the insert proximate the second end of the wall.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

an electric heat pump extending through an aperture contained within the circumferential wall of the housing, the heat pump for expelling thermal energy out of the housing; and

a thermally conductive block engaged to the heat pump, wherein the conduit disposes through the aperture.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the floor member is configured to form a shroud for receiving the insert, the shroud being thermally insulated.

4. An apparatus for storing and dispensing wine contained within a reusable insert, the insert having a first end and an opposing second end, the insert containing a port positioned proximate the second end, the apparatus comprising:

a circumferential wall having a first end and a second end;

a front face affixed to the first end of the circumferential wall;

a rectangular platform disposed within the circumferential wall, the platform extending lengthwise along the circumferential wall from the front face toward the second end, the platform for supporting the insert, the insert fully disposable within the circumferential wall by positioning the first end of the insert through the second end of the circumferential wall, the port accessible through the second end of the circumferential wall with the insert fully disposed within the circumferential wall;

a spigot for selectively dispensing the wine contained within the insert, the spigot supported by and positioned through the front face below the rectangular platform; and

a conduit disposed within the circumferential wall beneath the platform, the conduit having a first end attachable to the spigot and a second end connectable to the port of the insert

5. The apparatus of claim 4 and further comprising a removable panel connectable to the second end of the circumferential wall, wherein disposing the insert within the housing through the second open end, the panel is connectable to the second end of the circumferential wall.

6. The system of claim 4 and further comprising a refrigerating mechanism to chill wine contained within the insert, the refrigerating mechanism comprising:

a thermally conductive block connected to the platform, the block containing an aperture therethrough for receiving the conduit;

a thermal shroud supported by the platform, the shroud having a circumferential wall configured to receive and support the insert; and

a heat pump extending from the block through an aperture contained within a bottom portion of the housing.

7. The system of claim 6 and further comprising insulation positioned between an outer surface of the shroud and an inner surface of the housing.

8. An apparatus for dispensing pre-packaged wine, the wine containable within an insert, the apparatus comprising:

a housing configured substantially in the shape of a wine barrel, the housing including;

a circumferential wall;

a front face fixedly connected to a first end the wall; and

a removable back panel attachable to an opposing second end of the wall;

a shroud member disposed within the housing extending from the front face toward the back panel;

a spigot for selectively dispensing wine, the spigot supported by and positioned through the front face of the housing below the shroud member; and

a conduit positioned within the housing below the shroud member, the conduit connected to the spigot and extending toward the second end of the wall, wherein the insert containing the pre-packaged wine is disposable within the housing through the second end of the wall with the back panel removed, the insert supportable by the shroud member, wherein the conduit is fluidly connectable to the insert proximate the second end of the wall.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:

an electric heat pump extending through an aperture contained within the circumferential wall of the housing, the heat pump for expelling thermal energy out of the housing; and

a thermally conductive block engaged to the heat pump, the thermally conductive block containing a surface defining an aperture positioned therethrough, wherein the conduit disposes through the aperture.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the shroud member is thermally insulated.