Method and apparatus for dispensing beverages

• US 4,856,680 A
• Filed: 05/17/1988
• Issued: 08/15/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert E. Sitton
• Original Assignee: Robert E. Sitton
• Inventors: Sitton, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rolla, Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beegle, Mona C.
• Application Number:
  US07/196,815
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 222/152, 222/396, 222/397, 222/399, 222/330, 222/129.1, 222/130, 222/131, 222/190, 99/323.1, 426/312, 426/316
• US Class Current: 222/152
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/04 Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0885 Means for dispensing under specific atmospheric conditions, e.g. under inert gas
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0481 Single inert gas, e.g. N2

Abstract

A method and apparatus for preserving and dispensing opened containers of beverages and particularly wines wherein an opened bottled or similar container is placed within a separate enclosure and thereafter an inert gas such as nitrogen is introduced therein until pressures exceeding those desired for dispensing are achieved so as to purge any air from the enclosure and container with the gas pressure being applied equally inside and outside of the bottle or container to thereby preserve the contents of the bottle or container at a peak and consumer acceptable quality. The apparatus includes an enclosure having gas inlet and outlet valves and fluid dispensing conduits which communicate the beverage with dispensing valves.

Claims

1. A beverage preserving and dispensing apparatus for dispensing the fluid contents from an opened container of the beverage comprising an enclosure means, said enclosure means having a body portion within which the opened container is housed, removable closure means for sealing said body portion of said enclosure means from the outside atmosphere, a dispensing tube means extending inwardly of said body portion and within the opened container, first dispensing valve means connected to said dispensing tube means for selectively dispensing the fluid contents of the opened container exteriorly of said enclosure means, an inlet gas valve means in said enclosure means for permitting the supply of an inert gas into said enclosure means, a pressure release valve mounted to said enclosure means for permitting the release of gases therein when pressures above a predetermined maximum are achieved within the enclosure means, a fluid discharge opening within said enclosure means, said dispensing tube means including a first tube section within said enclosure means extending into the opened container, a second tube section within said enclosure means communicating said first tube section with said first dispensing valve means, and a third tube section within said enclosure means communicating said first tube section with said fluid discharge opening, a second dispensing valve means and means for connecting said second dispensing valve means to said fluid discharge opening so as to be in open communication with said third tube section of said dispensing tube means, and said first dispensing valve means being mounted directly to said enclosure means and said second dispensing valve means being disposed remotely of said enclosure means.

2. A beverage preserving and dispensing apparatus for dispensing the fluid contents from an opened container of the beverage comprising an enclosure means, said enclosure means having a body portion within which the opened container is housed, removable closure means for sealing said body portion of said enclosure means from the outside atmosphere, a dispensing tube means extending inwardly of said body portion and within the opened container, first dispensing valve means connected to said dispensing tube means for selectively dispensing the fluid contents of the opened container exteriorly of said enclosure means, an inlet gas valve means in said enclosure means for permitting the supply of an inert gas into said enclosure means, gas supply means connected to said gas inlet valve means, said gas supply means including a first supply line connected to a source of inert gas under pressure, a second supply line connected to a source of oxygen gas under pressure and valve means for selecting and regulating the flow of either the oxygen gas or the inert gas through said gas inlet valve means and into said enclosure means, and a pressure release valve mounted to said enclosure means for permitting the release of gases therein when pressures above a predetermined maximum are achieved within the enclosure means.