Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided for dispensing and aerating a beverage such as fine wine that has undergone long term bottle aging. The apparatus provides an elevated illuminated cradle upon which the bottle neck can be rested during dispensing of the beverage into a decanting vessel. Illumination is directed through the neck of the bottle to enable a user to detect the onset of the presence of sediment and then halt the dispensing process. The apparatus includes a removable flow channel portion with a downwardly inclined flow channel populated with protuberances to cause the beverage flowing thereon to cascade turbulently over the protuberances and thereby provide ample aeration as the beverage flows down the flow channel to the decanting vessel for collection. The flow channel portion further includes a removable filter to prevent any inadvertent passage of sediment from reaching the decanting vessel.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Application is based on Provisional Application 61/657,510, filed 8 Jun. 2012, currently pending. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fine wine is produced and bottled globally in standard 750 ml and 1500 ml glass bottles of various shapes and styles. The process of making wine includes steps of gathering the fruit, preparing the fruit, pressing and extracting the juice from the fruit, fermenting the juice and then storing the fermented juice for some extended time prior to bottling. Most often the wine is stored in oak barrels during this extended storage time prior to bottling. Winemakers use this time to continuously taste the wine as it ages to determine when it is ready for bottling and sometimes to determine which barrels to blend together for a final wine product. 
     With many inexpensive, large production wines, a stabilizer additive is used to provide protection against oxidation and to extend the shelf-life of the wine once it is uncorked by the end user. Most all of these large production wines are meant for immediate consumption by the consumer—that is, once the bottle is purchased from the local wine merchant it is most often consumed within 48 hours of purchase. As such, the wine is filtered and goes through a process called fining whereby certain additives are used to accelerate the precipitate formation prior to filtration. This provides a bottled wine that will contain no sediment from the wine creation and aging processes—wine ready to drink. 
     Most fine wines, those from rare vineyards or from top rated winemakers are bottled directly from the barrel with little or no additives and without the fining process. These wines are produced, barrel aged then bottled, but are not quite ready to consume just yet, as most will need additional aging time in the bottle to reach their peak flavor and texture or mouth feel. Many consumers of these fine wines will purchase these and store them in their cellars for years waiting for the best time to consume these wines. 
     With bottle aging the wines will throw off a precipitate that will collect in the bottle in the form of sediment. Throughout history many different sediment avoidance measures have been created to help extract the precious fine wine without dispensing any of the accumulated sediment. Most often the wine will be stored in bottle with the bottle lying on its side to allow the cork to remain wetted by the wine. This prevents the cork from drying out and allowing oxygen to penetrate and oxidize the wine. As a result of storage on the bottle side, the sediment will form on one side of the bottle, as gravity pulls the heavier sediment downward. When planning to consume a particular bottle of wine, the wine is pulled from the cellar and set upright for a day or so prior to opening, thus allowing the sediment to migrate to the bottom of the bottle. 
     Now ready to open the wine, the bottle is uncorked carefully and the wine is dispensed from the bottle into another container called a decanter. The user slowly pours the wine into the decanter watching carefully through the glass bottle neck for the sediment to arrive. As the bottle begins to get near to empty the sediment will begin to mix with and pour with the wine. As soon as the pourer sees the sediment reach the bottle neck the pour is discontinued. The wine transferred into the decanter should be clear and free of any residual sediment and ready to consume. In many instances, the pourer will pour over top of a candle, using the light to help see through the glass neck, which is often formed of a dark colored glass and difficult to see through in low light situations. 
     Another benefit of moving the wine from the bottle into a decanter container is that the process of pouring the wine causes it to stir and tumble allowing oxygen to get to the wine and open it up, or as commonly known, allow it to breathe. Most fine wine consumers will allow a wine some time to breathe before drinking—30 minutes or more in some cases. Additional agitation of the wine during decanting or once in the decanter can sometimes help to speed this process along, allowing the impatient consumer the ability to taste their wine without the wait. Indeed, several novel devices have been created to help speed this process, including venturi devices, spiral funnels, screened funnels and the like. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure is generally directed to the dispensing and aeration of liquid materials. More specifically, it is directed to a decorative, easy to use, intuitive and enjoyable, apparatus and method of aerating a liquid while dispensing into a decanter or glass. 
     An apparatus is disclosed to facilitate and allow a user to pour liquid from a storage container or bottle into a gravity induced flow path and into a decanter vessel or glass. Additionally, given use of the apparatus, a method for dispensing and preparing a liquid for consumption by a user is disclosed. 
     The apparatus is situated to allow the user to pour the liquid from a storage container or bottle onto a sloped gravity fed flow path containing structural features that provide a tumbling effect on the liquid flow, resulting in rapid oxygenation of the liquid. This flow path terminates with a drip-free pouring surface, situated at an elevated position, above the vessel to receive the prepared liquid. One can imagine this to be like water in a stream, tumbling over rocks and stones as it makes it way down the stream to the waterfall. 
     In addition, the apparatus will have a formed cradle for the bottle neck to rest against during pouring, helping the pourer to carefully raise the bottle during the pour. Within this neck cradle area there will be situated an illumination source that will provide focused light directly beneath the bottle neck and shoulder of the bottle to aid the pourer in seeing the approaching sediment during the pouring operation. This illumination source can be actuated by sensors within the neck cradle area, such that when the bottle neck is in position the illumination source is initiated. A timer circuit will be included to extinguish the illumination at some time interval after the bottle neck is removed from the cradle area, say after 15 seconds. 
     The apparatus is created to stand upon a table surface, providing an arrangement that allows the user easy access to the bottle neck and shoulder areas for seeing the liquid though the neck and shoulder as it is poured and allows sufficient vertical drop distance through the gravity induced flow path for adequate agitation and aeration of the wine. The dispensing surface is situated with enough vertical clearance from the table surface to accommodate a wineglass or decanter container. 
     Given an illumination source for assisting the pourer in seeing the sediment; and given the desire to make the apparatus stylish, fun and entertaining; the gravity induced flow path is seen as a crystal clear molded plastic component with the wine pouring side polished for easy cleaning and with the back side frosted so that it too could be illuminated—the frosted surface acting to diffuse the light to provide a gentle glow under the wine as it flows and tumbles downward over the structural elements molded into the flow path. The flow path is envisioned as a removable part that would be molded from a suitable dishwasher safe polymer, for example a PET copolymer such as Tritan by Eastman is suitable for the application. Light pipe technology can be utilized to provide the illumination disconnect when the flow path is removed for cleaning. 
     Again, given the desire for the device to be decorative and given an illumination source for the above features, it can be possible to provide a downward illumination of the decorative structural stand element of the device. The structural element may be a hollow clear tube, where the user is able to populate the inside of the tube with whatever they choose as a decorative element and the illumination source can illuminate the contents of the tube for providing an aesthetically pleasing effect. 
     Features to assist the user in pouring from the storage container or bottle are also provided, including: a cradle element for the bottle neck to rest upon during pouring; an illumination source within the cradle portion; a sediment capture filter screen element; 
     There exists, therefore, a need for an approach to dispensing a liquid beverage which provides the user an intuitive, easy and decorative apparatus to prepare the liquid for consumption by the user. 
     Numerous beverage aeration devices are found within the art and most in retail use today do an acceptable job of providing the proper aeration for preparing a beverage for consumption. Several aeration devices are also found with structural stand elements to assist in holding the aeration device at an elevated position above some decanter vessel. Some are designed to fit within the decanter vessel itself negating the need for any external structure. However, none of the currently available aeration devices, or those found in the art provide the hands free illumination to assist the user in detecting the sediment during the pouring operation. None of the aeration device of the current art provide a removable, dishwasher-safe flow channel. None of the devices found in the current art provide the illumination light-pipe disconnect between the removable flow channel and the illumination source. None of the available bottle illumination devices provide any additional decorative illumination benefits. None of the available bottle illumination devices provide the ability to also filter and aerate the beverage as it is being poured. Hence, there exists a need for a beverage dispensing, filtering and aeration device that also includes hands-free illumination and provide the ability to properly sanitize the flow channel after each use. The use of this system and method is intuitive and will aid in the enjoyment of preparing the beverage for consumption. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system for dispensing and aerating a beverage is provided which includes an upper housing portion having a cradle configured for receiving a neck portion of a beverage container. The system further includes a longitudinally extended support member coupled to the upper housing portion on one end thereof for supporting the upper housing portion at an elevated position. Further, the system includes a flow channel portion removably coupled to the upper housing portion and disposed in aligned relationship with the cradle. The flow channel portion includes a downwardly inclined flow channel having a flow surface with a plurality of protuberances extending upwardly therefrom and spaced along a longitudinal flow path of the flow surface for creating a cascading turbulent flow of a beverage dispensed from the beverage container to provide aeration thereof. 
     From another aspect, a system for dispensing and aerating a beverage is provided that includes a support member extending upwardly from a support base and an illumination portion coupled to an upper end portion of the support member. The illumination portion includes an upper housing portion that has a cradle formed therein and configured for receiving a neck portion of a beverage container therein and at least one illumination source disposed within the upper housing portion and positioned for illuminating a flow of the beverage within the neck portion of the beverage container to enable a user to detect sediment in the flow. The system also includes a flow channel portion removably coupled to the upper housing portion and disposed in aligned relationship with the cradle. The flow channel portion includes a downwardly inclined flow channel having a flow surface with a plurality of protuberances extending upwardly therefrom and spaced along a longitudinal flow path of the flow surface for creating a cascading turbulent flow of a beverage dispensed from the beverage container to provide aeration thereof. 
     From yet another aspect, a method of decanting and aerating a beverage is provided that includes the step of providing an illuminated support at an elevation above a beverage receiving container. The method further includes providing the illuminated support with a downwardly inclined flow channel having a flow surface with a plurality of protuberances extending upwardly therefrom and spaced along a longitudinal flow path of the flow surface, and positioning a longitudinally extended neck portion of a beverage container on the illuminated support. Further, the method includes illuminating the neck portion of the beverage container with a light beam impinging a longitudinal portion of the neck portion of the beverage container and passing therethrough, and pouring a beverage from the beverage container onto the downwardly inclined flow channel and therefrom into the beverage receiving container, wherein flow of the beverage over the plurality of protuberances produces a cascading turbulent flow and thereby aerates the beverage. Still further, the method includes halting the pouring of the beverage from the beverage container responsive to visualization of sediment in the illuminated neck portion of the beverage container. 
     As is described herein, the system generally comprises an elevated removable flow channel, adjacent to an elevated housing having a cradle and containing the elements required to provide battery powered illumination as desired. This illumination housing has a cradle or saddle formed therein to allow the user the intuitive ability to rest the container neck on or within the cradle. This assists the user in stabilizing the container during the dispensing operation. The illumination source is disposed within the housing for emission in proximity to the cradle and initiated in response to sensing elements detecting the presence of the container neck. The sensing elements detect the presence of the bottle neck and trigger electronic circuits of a circuit board to initiate the illumination of the bottle neck and shoulder areas. Once the bottle neck is removed the sensors again trigger and initiate a short time delay until the illumination is ceased. For conservation of battery power the electronics require a single closure of the switch to power the sensor elements. Once powered the sensor elements will remain active for a predetermined time before entering a power save mode. The illumination is provided by one or more LED illumination sources which are connected to one or more lens elements that acts to direct and focus the illumination into a specific linear shape in the longitudinal direction of the neck of the bottle, directly under the neck and shoulder portions of the bottle, so that the user will see through the flow from the bottle to detect any sediment in the beverage during the dispensing operation. In addition, this or another lens element directs illumination to another surface which is adjacent to a light pipe formed by a structural element on the removable flow channel portion of the system. In this manner, illumination can be directed to the flow surface of the flow channel and provide gentle backlighting of the flow surface during the dispensing operation. The dispensing end of the flow channel portion of the system is at an elevation to allow a receiving container to easily be inserted and removed. This receiving container is often called a decanter and the dispensing process mentioned above is commonly called decanting. In addition to the purely function attributed of the disclosed apparatus as mentioned, there is a decorative attribute to the apparatus as well. The main tubular structure shown in the preferred embodiment can be manufactured from a clear material and can be filled with objects for decoration, for example, old corks, seashells, coins, dried flowers and the like. In one embodiment, additional illumination could be included to illuminate the interior of this structural component, either highlighting the decorative objects placed therein or to be used as an illumination source for accent lighting in the room in which the apparatus is situated. 
     The apparatus and system provide the ability to carry out the method of preparing a beverage for consumption after prolonged storage in a storage container or bottle. The method may include the steps of: preparing the bottle to be dispensed by removing it from storage and placing it in an upright condition for some suitable time prior to opening; the step of opening the bottle with care as the closure elements do degrade over time; the step of inserting a receiving vessel or decanter in position on the apparatus ready to receive the beverage; the step of placing the neck of the bottle into the cradle so as to carefully allow slow and measured pouring of the precious liquid from the storage bottle; the step of pouring the beverage from the bottle may include pouring the beverage through the removable filter element and over the flow surface; the step of carefully viewing the beverage through the bottle neck with the bottle neck shoulder areas being illuminated and watching for any sediment to flow with the beverage; and the step of ceasing the flow of the beverage from the bottle once the sediment is detected, thereby preventing sediment from entering the filter or the flow surface areas. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective exterior view of one embodiment of a system formed in accordance with the disclosed apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a right side elevation view of the embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a left side elevation view of the embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view from line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view from line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric exploded view of the embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a portion of the embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the portion of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the portion of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view from line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a left side view of the portion of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view from line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric exploded view of the portion of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the portion of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11 , with the top cover portion removed for illustrative clarity; 
         FIG. 19  is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , highlighting the removable flow channel features; 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of the portion of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross sectional view from line  21 - 21  in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a rotated perspective view of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 19 , rotated to highlight the underside features of the removable flow channel; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment system ready for dispensing, filtering and aerating; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment system shown in-use with the bottle neck seated within the cradle, dispensing the liquid beverage into a decanter vessel; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment system shown in-use with the bottle neck seated within the cradle, dispensing the liquid beverage into a typical stemware glass; and 
         FIG. 26  is a simplified electrical block diagram of the illumination and sensing functions of disclosed apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Decanting of a beverage from a storage container, or bottle, after long term storage is a precarious process at best; care must be taken to prevent precipitate and sediment build-up from mixing in with the beverage during the decanting process. The apparatus and method presented herein are developed to aid in this gentle process. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-25 , there is shown one exemplary decorative dispensing system including an illuminated beverage decanting apparatus, as well as examples of the apparatus combined with other elements that form the system as used to perform the method described herein. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1-7 , shown therein are illustrative views of the illuminated beverage decanting apparatus  10  shown without a receiving vessel. The apparatus is supported by base  20  with structural support member  30  providing the necessary elevation for the upper housing portion defined by an electronic illumination portion  40  on which the removable filter element  90  and flow channel portion  100  are detachably affixed. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 , shown therein are cross sectional views of the apparatus  10 , illustrating the internal geometries of the various elements of the apparatus. 
     Turning to  FIG. 10 , shown therein is an illustrative exploded perspective view of the apparatus  10 , illustrating each of the main components of the apparatus. Base  20  is shown with receiving surface  22  to accept end surface  32  of the structural support member  30 . Also shown on base  20  are depressions  24  and  26  for intuitive placement of the beverage bottle or a stemware glass. It is contemplated that base  20  may be provided with more or less depressions without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Surface  28  is provided on base  20  to allow the decanting receiving vessel to sit in relation to the dispensing end of the flow channel portion  100  for spill free dispensing. The surface  28  also serves to catch any drips from flow channel portion  100  when the receiving decanter vessel is removed, thereby protecting the table or counter surface on which the apparatus  10  is placed. Structural support member  30  has an open upper end surface  34  which is dimensioned to receive the exterior surface of the bottom housing  44  of electronic illumination portion  40  therein, and providing for the detachable assembly of portion  40  to the structural support  30  without a need for tools. Alternately, bottom housing  44  of electronic illumination portion  40  may be configured to receive the exterior surface of the upper end surface  34  of structural support member  30 . Either method of coupling the electronic illumination portion  40  to the structural support member  30  provides a frictional type coupling the provides for quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Electronic illumination portion  40  is detachable from structural support  30  for access to the battery compartment within bottom housing  44  of portion  40 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 11-18 , shown therein are illustrative view of the electronic illumination portion  40 , including detail interior views illustrating the functional and optic elements used to support the system and method. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective outer view of the electronic illumination portion  40 , showing the upper housing  42 , the lower housing bottom  44 , the sensor openings  46  and  46 ′, and, the initiation switch recess area  48 . The upper housing  44  includes a recess area defining a cradle  50 , at the bottom of which is situated the opening  52  for the illumination lens element and opening  54  for the light pipe connection, both of which are part of the internal control circuit assembly discussed in following paragraphs. 
     Turning to  FIG. 12 , shown therein is a top view of the electronic illumination portion  40 , again illustrating the major features on the exterior of the device as in  FIG. 11 . In particular, the relationship between the sensor openings  46  and  46 ′ and the illumination lens element opening  52  can be seen. 
     Turning to  FIG. 13 , shown therein is a front elevation view of the electronic illumination portion  40 , again illustrating the major features on the exterior of the device as in  FIG. 11 , including the light pipe connection opening  54 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 14 , a cross sectional view taken along section line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13  is shown illustrating an exemplary placement of the internal elements of the electronic illumination portion  40 . Within the upper housing  42  there are several elements with control functions and the generation of the desired illumination for the device. Lens elements  62  and  64  respectively reside within the openings  52  and  54  of the upper housing  42 . Likewise, initiation switch  58  resides within recess opening  48  of the upper housing  42  as well. Control circuit boards  66  and  68  contain the necessary electronic components to drive corresponding light emitting diodes (LEDs)  63  and  65  associated therewith. Although two control circuit boards with separate light sources are described herein, it is contemplated that they may be consolidated as a single control circuit board with separate sources thereon or a single light source optically coupled to the openings  52  and  54  using light-pipes or optical fibers, for example. Control circuit boards  66  and  68  further provide the appropriate time delays as predetermined within the circuit logic thereof. Here again, the time delay functions may be consolidated on a single control circuit board, such as control circuit board  66 , while the second control circuit board  68  provides the LED driving function for LEDs  63 . Batteries  70  are connected to the control circuit boards  66  and  68  and reside in a battery compartment  72  of the lower housing bottom  44  and are accessible through the open end of the lower housing bottom  44 . 
     Turing to  FIG. 15 , shown therein is a left side view of the electronic illumination portion  40 , illustrating external features as previously described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , there is shown a cross sectional view as taken along section line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 , further illustrating the exemplary placement of the internal elements of the electronic illumination portion  40 . Within the upper housing  42  there are several elements used in conjunction with the control and generation of the desired illumination for the device, including the sensing elements  56  and  56 ′ which reside in openings  46  and  46 ′, respectively. The sensing elements  56  and  56 ′ work with each other to detect any interruption of a light beam between them. Hence, when a neck of a bottle is rested in the cradle  50 , ready to begin the dispensing operation, the sensing elements  56  and  56 ′ will detect the presence of the bottle and provide the appropriate signal to the control circuit boards  66  and  68  to provide power to the LEDs  63  and  65  and thereby provide illumination. Since the sensing elements require some low level of power, the control circuit logic of control circuit board  66  will only provide such power after initiation switch  58  is momentarily closed. Closure of this initiation switch  58  signals the control logic that the user is ready to use the device and power is provided to the sensing elements for a predetermined time duration. This time duration is in the approximate range of two to four hours, enough for one evening of use in a normal household setting. Once the initiation switch  58  has been actuated, the device then will operate automatically, based on detection of a bottle by the sensing elements  56  and  56 ′. 
     The illumination will be initiated whenever the light beam between the sensing elements  56  and  56 ′ is interrupted by a bottle neck being positioned for pouring and dispensing therefrom. Once the bottle neck is removed from the cradle  50 , the sensing elements  56  and  56 ′ detect this event and send a signal to the control logic for initiating a delay timer to delay, for a predetermined time, for example one to five minutes, removal of power from the LEDs  63  and  65  and thereby extinguish the illumination. The illumination provided by LEDs  65  passes through the neck and shoulder portions of the original container, allowing the user to detect when sediment begins to flow with the beverage and thus then stop the pouring the beverage. Any sediment that inadvertently flows from the container will be captured by the removable filter  90 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 17 , there is shown an exploded perspective view of the electronic illumination portion  40  to further illustrate the internal elements thereof. Wires for electrical connection between the control circuit boards  66  and  68 , and between the battery compartment  72  and the control circuit boards  66  and  68  are not shown in the illustration for clarity, however, such interconnections are well within the skills of those skilled in the art. This exploded view shows in greater detail a lens assembly  60  which includes the lens  62  for the main LED illumination from LEDs  65  and also provide the lens coverings  61  for the sensing elements  56  and  56 ′. The initiation switch  58  may be mounted to the control circuit board  66 , as shown, or mounted to the upper housing  42  and electrically connected to the control circuit board  66 . Lens  62  focuses the light from one or more LEDs  65  into a beam that extends longitudinally, in the same direction as that of beverage container&#39;s neck extends and is sufficiently long to illuminate the shoulder portion from which the neck extends. By that arrangement, the flow of beverage through the neck and shoulder portions of the beverage container can be well visualized and allow the user to detect when any sediment begins to enter the flow from the container and then stop dispensing the beverage from the container. 
       FIG. 18 , shows a detailed perspective view of the lower housing bottom  44  assembled with the control circuit board  66  with lens assembly  60  and control circuit board  68  with lens  64  in position. 
     In summary, the illumination and sensing functions can be understood by referring to the simplified electrical block diagram of  FIG. 26 . The control circuit board  66  is coupled to the power source  70  and is inactive until initiated by closure of the switch  58  that is coupled thereto. Once activated, the bottle sensor  55  is enabled for detecting the presence of the neck of a bottle in the cradle  50 . As described previously, the bottle sensor  55  is formed by optical sensing elements (an emitter and a receiver)  56  and  56 ′, as are well known in the art. Alternately, the sensor  55  may be a mechanically actuated weight sensitive switch or ultrasonic proximity sensor. The enablement of bottle sensor  55  is maintained to a prescribed length of time based on a first timing function of control circuit board  66 . Responsive to detection of the neck of a bottle being positioned in the cradle  50 , control circuit board  66  initiates illumination source  67  to output a light beam to illuminate the cradle  50  and the light-pipe formed by the structural rib  122 . The illumination source  67  is formed by a pair of groups of multiple LEDs  63  and  65 , but may be formed by a single LED or a single group of LEDs. Upon the bottle sensor detecting removal of the neck of a bottle in the cradle  50 , the enablement of the illumination from illumination source  67  is maintained for a certain time period control circuit based on a second timing function of control circuit board  66 . With the illumination source  67  being formed by a pair of groups of multiple LEDs  63  and  65 , their illumination may be maintained for different time intervals using a third timing function of control circuit board  66  to control one group of LEDs, while the second timing function controls the other group. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 19-22 , shown therein are views of the removable flow channel portion  100 , formed as one piece with a coupling portion  101  at one end thereof and a flow channel  103  extending therefrom, wherein  FIGS. 19-22  illustrate the many features incorporated into this removable element. 
     Now referring specifically to  FIG. 19 , a perspective view of the removable flow channel portion  100  is shown. The flow channel portion  100  has a coupling portion  101  with recesses  102  and  104  on the upper surface to correspond with the cradle portion of the electronic illumination portion  40  previously described. The recesses  102  and  104  correspond to recess area of the cradle  50  and provide adequate clearance for the neck of the bottle during the dispensing operation. Internal circular surface  106  of the coupling portion  101  allows the flow channel portion  100  to be detachably affixed to the aforementioned electronic illumination portion  40  with a snug radial fit between the two components when installed. The flow channel portion  100  can therefore be installed on the electronic illumination portion  40  and removed therefrom without the need for tools. The flow channel portion  100  includes the flow channel  103  having a lower flow surface  108  situated at a lower elevation than the protuberance elements  110  to cause the beverage to tumble across the multiple protuberance elements  110  creating a turbulent flow as the beverage cascades downward over successive protuberance elements  110  during the pour operation toward the dispensing lip  114 . The flow channel  103  has side walls  112  that are formed upward from the lower flow surface  108  on opposing sides of flow channel portion  100  in an effort to contain the flowing beverage liquid and focus the flow downward and towards the dispensing lip  114 . The flow channel  103  further has a recessed surface  116  and lock element  118  that are incorporated into the unitary single piece removable flow channel portion  100  to allow removable filter element  90  to be detachably affixed to the removable flow channel portion  100 . The removable filter element  90  prevents any sediment that is inadvertently poured from the original container from being dispensed to a decanter or glass. 
     Turning to  FIG. 20 , shown therein is a front view of the flow channel  103 , illustrating the geometric shape and design of the part showing the downward and focused flow path over the protuberances  110  to the dispensing lip  114 . 
     In  FIG. 21 , a cross sectional view taken along line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20  is shown. In this view, features in the underside portion of the removable flow channel portion  100  can be seen, namely the structural ring  120  for detachable affixing to the electronic illumination portion  40 . Removable flow channel portion  100  includes a structural rib  122  that adds rigidity to the flow channel  103  and also functions as a light-pipe to transmit light from the electronic illumination portion  40  to the upper surface of the flow channel  103 . The structural rib  122  has a vertical face  124 , which when coupled to the electronic illumination portion  40  is adjacent to lens  54 , thereby providing a connection to the light-pipe formed by structural rib  122  from the illumination source  63 , through lens  54 , into surface  124 , which is then transmitted to the lower surface  108  of the flow channel  103  thereby. In this manner, and with selective surface finishes used, where appropriate, a soft, diffuse, glowing illumination can be provided beneath the flow surface as the beverage is flowing across the surface for a pleasing aesthetic effect. 
     Turning to  FIG. 22 , there is shown, a rotated perspective view illustrating the underside of the removable flow channel portion  100 . Again, in this view one can clearly see the surfaces  106  and  120  of the coupling portion  101  used for detachable interconnection to the electronic illumination housing  40  as well as the structural rib  122  and light pipe mating vertical surface  124  of the flow channel  103 . 
       FIGS. 23-25 , show perspective views of the illuminated beverage dispensing apparatus  10  used as part of a system  200  to support the method of preparing the beverage for consumption. The system includes the illuminated beverage dispensing apparatus  10  along with a decanting vessel  150  and an original beverage container  160 . For specific applications the decanter vessel  150  may be replaced, in-use, with a single serving receiving vessel as represented by the stemware glass  170 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the system  200  provides a location for the original container  160  to be situated upon base  20  of illuminated beverage dispensing apparatus  10 . The base  20  also has a receiving surface for the decanting vessel  150  at a location where it is in a position to receive the decanted and aerated beverage. 
       FIG. 24  shows system  200  in-use with the neck of the original container bottle  160  placed in the cradle  50  of the illuminated beverage dispensing apparatus  10 . The liquid beverage flows from the bottle  160  through removable filter element  90  and onto the flow channel portion  100  where the beverage flows turbulently as it cascades downwardly to the dispensing lip  114  and into the decanting vessel  150 . While the beverage is being poured, the neck and shoulder of the original container bottle  160  are illuminated from the bottom portion of the cradle so that a user can detect when sediment begins to flow through the neck. Any sediment that inadvertently passes from the original container bottle  160  is filtered from the beverage by the removable filter element  90 . 
     In a similar fashion, as shown in  FIG. 25 , system  200  is shown in-use with the neck of the original container bottle  160  placed with the cradle  50  of the illuminated beverage dispensing apparatus  10  for dispensing the liquid to the stemware glass  170 . The liquid beverage flows through removable filter element  90  and onto and over the flow channel portion  100  for a cascading turbulent flow to the dispensing lip  114  and into the stemware glass  170 , for a single serving pour. Here again, the neck and shoulder of the original container bottle  160  are illuminated from the bottom portion of the cradle so that a user can detect when sediment begins to flow through the neck as the beverage is poured therefrom and thereby allows the user to stop pouring the beverage. Any sediment that inadvertently passes from the original container bottle  160  is filtered from the beverage by the removable filter element  90 . 
     The descriptions above are intended to illustrate possible implementations of the present invention and are not restrictive. While this disclosure has been made in connection with specific forms and embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that various modifications other than those discussed above may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention. Such variations, modifications, and alternatives will become apparent to the skilled artisan upon review of the disclosure. For example, functionally equivalent elements or method steps may be substituted for those specifically shown and described, and certain features may be used independently of other features, and in certain cases, particular locations of elements or sequence of method steps may be reversed or interposed, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended Claims. The scope of the claimed invention should therefore be determined with reference to the description above and the appended claims, along with their full range of equivalents.