Venturi apparatus for pouring and aereating beverages

An improved venturi apparatus for the incorporation of air into a liquid. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an entry section, a cylindrical section, and an outflow section. Lateral tubes extend from the cylindrical section so as to form an acute angle relative to both the central and cross-sectional axes of the cylindrical section, thereby preventing leakage of liquid out through the lateral tubes during use and subsequent handling. The entry section includes a breather tube connected to the cylindrical section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The principles of a venturi apparatus are well known in the art. Fluid flowing in a tube that passes through a constricted region experiences both an increase in velocity and simultaneous drop in pressure. The placement of an opening along the area of constriction produces a suction effect due to the decreased pressure of the fluid flowing in that portion of the tube. This principle has been exploited for numerous applications, including flow measurement and the introduction of additional fluids into an existing stream.

As recognized in the prior art, a simple venturi apparatus may be employed to facilitate aeration of a liquid such as wine. One such prior art design consists of a vertically oriented venturi device having a first funnel section connected to a cylindrical section that is in turn connected to a second funnel-type frusto-conical section. Two sidearm passageways extend horizontally from the cylindrical section. Liquid poured into the first funnel section is channeled into the cylindrical section, where it increases in velocity and decreases in pressure. This creates a suction effect that draws in air through the sidearm passageways. The air is thus incorporated into the liquid, which exits the device through the second funnel-type frusto-conical section. (See U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2007/0187848A1 ('848)).

Another prior art design also utilizes the venturi principle for simultaneously pouring liquid for a container and mixing air into the liquid. Thus, the pourer of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,660 B1 may be used for simultaneously pouring wine from a bottle and decanting the wine.

However, problems exist in both prior art designs. Notably, the devices are prone to leaking liquid out through air passageways. This is especially likely to occur when a large amount of liquid is poured through the devices. In order to minimize the likelihood of leakage, a user must maintain the device described in the '848 publication in a near perfect vertical orientation during usage, and in a carefully determined angle from vertical in the case of the pourer of the '660 patent. And even so, this may not ensure that leakage does not occur, especially when larger quantities of liquid are poured.

The prior art device is thus unpredictably prone to leakage of liquid, which can cause many additional problems for the user. A leaked beverage, particularly as with red wine, can result in stains that are difficult to clean. Such leakage also renders the device itself slippery and difficult to handle, in addition to soiling the user's hand. Moreover, beverages such as fine wine can be quite expensive, and any loss due to leakage constitutes a cost that must be borne by the user.

The '848 prior art device is also prone to formation of a vortex in the liquid. Vortical flow causes the liquid to flow along the walls of the cylindrical section and thereby tends to block the movement of air into the liquid. This blockage thereby reduces the efficiency with which the device can aerate a liquid. In the '660 prior art device, only one air passageway is provided at an inefficiently designed constriction for producing the venturi effect. The result is a very slow pouring device and poor aereation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved venturi apparatus for simultaneously pouring and aereating a liquid, such as wine, from a container, that addresses the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art. In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a conduit through which a first fluid flows, having a constricted intermediate region. One or more lateral tubes for introducing a second fluid at the constricted intermediate region are formed at a substantially acute angle relative to the direction of flow of the first fluid through the constricted intermediate region. The placement of lateral angles of the lateral tubes is selected to maximize flow of the first liquid from the container without overflowing through them.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises an entry or inlet section formed to fit into the opening of the container that is fluidly connected to a cylindrical section, which in turn is fluidly connected to an outflow section. A planar segment is disposed upstream of the cylindrical section to inhibit vortical flow. Two diametrically opposed lateral tubes extend from the cylindrical section at substantially acute angles relative to the central and orthogonal axes of the cylindrical section, and are fluidly continuous with the exterior. The lateral tubes facilitate the introduction of air into liquid flowing in the device, and their angled orientation prevents leakage of liquid through the tubes.

In a second preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes all of the elements of the first preferred embodiment with two modifications to improve fluid flow through the conduit. According to the second embodiment, the portion of the entry that fits into the mouth or opening of the bottle is extended to provide infrastructure for a ventilation or breather tube. In addition, an optional outlet cover is provided for food service applications.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is drawn to an improved venturi apparatus for mixing two fluids. In an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus10comprises a conduit through which a first fluid flows, the conduit having a constricted intermediate region. One or more lateral tubes for introducing a second fluid at the constricted intermediate region are formed at a substantially acute angle relative to the direction of flow of the first fluid through the constricted intermediate region. The constricted intermediate region has a further constriction at its downstream end, this being found to enhance mixing of the fluids.

A planar segment is coupled to the intermediate region to inhibit vortical flow, where the plane of the segment is disposed in the direction of flow of the first liquid. A reduction in vortical flow improves the efficiency of the device because vortical flow causes fluid to adhere to the walls of the device, and thereby inhibits introduction and mixing of the second fluid.

The present invention is drawn to an improved vertically oriented venturi apparatus for facilitating the aeration of a liquid beverage such as wine. With reference toFIGS. 1-4, an embodiment100of the present invention is shown, having central axis110and vertical axis111and lateral axis112.

Entry section10has an annular cross-section for conducting the flow of the liquid beverage to the constricted intermediate region, when pouring liquid through the device from a bottle. The inner diameter of entry section10is substantially uniform along the axis and direction of liquid flow. The outer diameter of section10is tapered to be adapted to fit into the top opening of a bottle, and may comprise or include a soft material for providing a seal between the bottle opening and pourer100.

Cylindrical section20is fluidly connected at the other end to the narrow end of entry section10, and centered about central axis110. Cylindrical section20is preferably of substantially uniform diameter throughout its length. Rim25is formed by the intersection of the narrow end of funnel section10and the top of cylindrical section20. Rim25of entry section10is preferably bowl-shaped or, substantially flat, so as to form a sharp, nearly perpendicular, angle with cylindrical section20, preferably in the range of 90-120 degrees. This arrangement decreases the likelihood of vortex formation as the liquid enters cylindrical section20.

Opposed lateral tubes40are fluidly connected to cylindrical section20, extending from section20so as to form a substantially acute angle 45 degrees relative to the central axis110and the direction of fluid flow, and are fluidly continuous with the exterior of the device. As liquid is poured through the device, air is drawn into the liquid via the lateral tubes. The upward angled orientation of the lateral tubes prevents liquid from leaking out through the tubes, during both actual use and subsequent handling.

Vertically planar segment30is disposed up-stream from the intersection with lateral tubes40, and bisects cylindrical section20to counteract any vortical flow in the liquid.

Outflow section50is fluidly connected at its entry end to the exit of cylindrical section20. Outflow section50has a diameter at its entry end52that is smaller than that of cylindrical section20, this being found to facilitate enhanced mixing of air with liquid prior to exiting the device. Exit end54of either section50may have any shape for efficiently and conveniently guiding the aereated liquid to another container, such as a wine glass. In addition, an optional outlet cover138is provided as usually required for food service applications.

In operation, liquid to be aerated is poured into entry section10, and thereby channeled into cylindrical section20. Any vortex motion is inhibited by vertical planar segment30. This is important because vortical flow will cause the liquid to adhere to the sides of cylindrical section20and thereby tend to inhibit the introduction of air into the liquid. As the liquid passes through cylindrical section20, air is drawn into the liquid through the lateral tubes40. The aerated liquid exits the device through the outflow section50.

Referring toFIG. 4, the orientation of lateral tubes40with respect to axes110and112is shown. Lateral tubes40should be set at approximately 45 degrees with respect to axis112, and intersect cylindrical section20above axis110relating to the flow of liquid.

With reference toFIGS. 5 and 6A, pourer200is a second embodiment of pourer100. In particular, section135includes all of the elements of pourer100, and operates in the same or similar way, as described in paragraphs 0021 through 0027 hereof.

Ventilation or breather tube125is disposed along the top of entry section10. Portion11of entry section10is extended into the neck of bottle75to provide infrastructure for ventilation tube125, and includes liquid seal coating or sleeve126and air intake128. Sleeve126can be made of any deformable elastomer material having a suitable durometer for forming a liquid seal with the inner surface of the bottle opening and which is safe for food service applications. Bottle75is presented here for illustrative purposes only and forms no part of the present invention.

Tube125may be formed to fit within entry section10as a separate structure, or in conjunction with coating126. If formed with coating126, tube125can be constructed as a channel with entry section10enclosed by the wine surface of coating126.

Referring now toFIGS. 6A,6B and6C, the function of breather tube125is to facilitate flow of the liquid from the bottle through pourer200. The length and diameter of tube125controls the liquid flow rate which, in turn, affects the aeration of the liquid. In general, the rate increases as the length of breather tube125extends into the neck of the bottle.

With continuing reference to FIGS.1and6A-6C, the diameter of breather tube125and lateral tubes40should be selected to avoid backwash and leakage therefrom while the liquid is poured through pourer100or200, particularly as pouring first begins or is ending. Typically, for a pourer having an overall length of approximately 185 mm, the breather tube will have a length of approximately 80 mm, where entry section10is approximately 40 mm in length. The diameter of entry section10tapers from a maximum of approximately 23 mm, to a minimum of approximately 17 mm for insertion into a typical wine bottle opening.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments are described as having two diametrically opposed lateral tubes at their intersection with cylinder20. For example, since the pourer of the present invention relies entirely on earth's gravitational force to initiate flow of the liquid through it, preferably one or more of lateral tubes40should not be located at or near the underside of the liquid channel flow through pourer100. Rather, they should be located along the sides of the flow, preferably at a substantially acute angle47degrees relative to both the central axis110and to orthogonal axis112.

It is also recognized that the device is operative with one or more lateral tubes. Moreover, the lateral tubes need not be symmetrically arranged, but may be positioned in a variety of ways, as desired for aesthetic purposes or otherwise. Therefore, in alternative embodiments of the present invention (not shown), there are one or more lateral tubes, each oriented so as to form a substantially acute angle relative to the axes of the intermediate cylindrical section. The acute angles may or may not be substantially the same.

Additionally, while the preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with respect to the introduction of air into wine, the device may be utilized to facilitate introduction of any fluid into another fluid, the fluids being liquid or gaseous. The preferred embodiment is contemplated to function at ambient pressures; however, the device may also be operated under pressure. Moreover, it is possible to utilize the multiple lateral tubes of the present invention to introduce multiple fluids into a single fluid flowing in the device.

The device is preferably composed of a transparent plastic material such as an engineered thermoplastic material, which yields a robust structure while allowing one to view the liquid as it is poured through the device. However, the device is readily fabricated using other materials that are known in the art, such as glass or metal.

In other alternative embodiments of the present invention (not shown), the entry section may have any shape that serves to funnel liquid towards the intermediate cylindrical section, such as an inverted pyramid-type shape. Likewise, the outflow section may be substituted for an alternative shape of generally increasing cross-sectional area from top to bottom, such as horn-shaped, tetrahedral or pyramidal.

Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described object of the invention, and is, thus, representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. The scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”

All structural and functional equivalents to and combinations of the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. However, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications in form, apparatus material, and fabrication material detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Moreover, no requirement exists for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be resolved by the present invention, for such to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention applies devices for incorporation of air into a liquid, such as wine, as it is poured from a bottle.