Wine cellar alarm system

• US 8,710,985 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2009
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Greenfield World Trade, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vinotemp International Corporation (The Legacy Cos.)
• Inventors: Shao, Haoming
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US12/418,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20090309719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,852 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 621/57
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/526 giving audible indications
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/57 using telephone networks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/20 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/48 HVAC for a wine cellar
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/008 Alarm devices

Abstract

A notification device includes wine cellar temperature and humidity sensors, a processing device, an alarm and an automatic telephone dialer that notifies designated recipients when wine cellar temperature and humidity values are outside of preset limits.

Claims

1. A wine cellar alarm system comprising:

a programmable controller for regulating wine cellar air temperature and humidity;

a wine cellar temperature sensor connected to said programmable controller for signaling air temperature in the wine cellar;

a wine cellar humidity sensor connected to said programmable controller for signaling air humidity in the wine cellar;

alarm means in said programmable controller for generating an alarm signal when sensed wine cellar temperature and humidity levels are outside of preset limits; and

communication means, connected to said alarm means, for transmitting alarm messages to predetermined recipients in response to said alarm signals such that recipients are immediately notified of the alarm and wherein notifications are given when wine cellar temperature and humidity values are outside of preset limits.

2. An alarm system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said communication means include an automatic telephone dialer.

3. An alarm system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said dialer is connected to a telephone system.

4. An alarm system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said dialer is connected to a cellular telephone system.

5. An alarm system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said alarm means are connected to an audible alarm device.

6. An alarm system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said alarm means are connected to a visible alarm display device.

7. An alarm system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wine cellar temperature sensor detects bottle temperature.

8. An alarm system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said communication means include telephone means capable of connecting to preselected recipients.

9. A wine cellar alarm system comprising:

a. temperature sensing means connected to a the wine cellar for determining and signalling air temperatures therein;

b. humidity sensing means connected to the wine cellar for determining and signaling humidity therein;

c. temperature limit setting means coupled to said temperature sensing means including means for setting acceptable temperature fluctuation limits;

d. humidity limit setting means coupled to said humidity sensing means for setting acceptable humidity fluctuation limits;

e. alarm means coupled to said limit setting means and said sensing means for generating an alarm signal when fluctuation limits are exceeded; and

f. communication means, coupled to said alarm means for transmitting a predetermined message to selected recipients in response to alarm signals from said alarm means such that recipients are immediately notified of the alarm.

10. An alarm system as in claim 9 wherein said communication means include a dialer adapted to be connected to a telephone system for alerting selected recipients.

11. An alarm system as in claim 9 wherein said communication means include a cellular telephone programmed to contact selected recipients.

12. An alarm system as in claim 9 wherein said communication means include means for signaling an audible alarm system.

13. An alarm system as in claim 9 wherein said communication means include means for signaling a visible alarm system including a display device.