Abstract:
A system for dispensing a liquid from a bottle  13  comprises an assembly  17, 18  and a stopper  19  to be introduced into a bottleneck, which stopper can be separated from the assembly. The stopper  19  comprises a liquid dispensing pipe  14, 16  with a electromagnetic valve  15  and a gas path  12  having a check valve  11  therein. The assembly comprises a solenoid  10  and a tank  1  containing gas for driving the liquid from the bottle. The tank is connected via a further electromagnetic valve  3  to gas pipes  8  and  9.  The stopper which closes off the bottle can be connected to the assembly such that gas pipe  9  connects with check valve  12  and solenoid  10  surrounds electromagnetic valve  15.  By actuating programmable button switch  4  both electromagnetic valves  3, 15  open for a preset time so that a metered quantity of liquid is dispensed from the bottle. Alternatively, another button switch  5  allows to dispense a non-preset volume of liquid.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention belongs to the field of storage and transport in general, and relates to a detachable precious liquids dispenser system. 
         [0002]    According to the International Patent Classification (IPC), this invention can be denoted using the classification symbol B65D83/00, which is used for denoting packaging with special means for dispensing their contents, or by using the slightly more relevant symbol, B65D83/14, which is used for devices which dispense semifluid contents via gas pressure. The invention can also be denoted with the symbol B67C9/00, which includes the emptying of bottles and is not included elsewhere, and it can be denoted by symbol B67D5/00, which is related to devices and systems for dispensing fluids. 
       TECHNICAL PROBLEM 
       [0003]    The technical problem which is solved by using the present invention involves the construction of a dispensing system for bottled beverages, wherein the sub-assembly containing the bottle is detachable from other system sub-assemblies, and the beverage which remains inside the bottle is kept in the protective atmosphere of an inert gas. All of this is achieved by applying electromagnetic valves and corresponding pipes which will introduce the inert gas into the bottle, as well as a pipe for dispensing the beverage into a glass. 
         [0004]    The device is made in a way that enables one to dispense a precisely predetermined volume of beverage, which is proportional to the amount of time during which the corresponding electromagnetic valves are open, by applying a programmable button switch with a single push. 
         [0005]    Additionally, it is possible to dispense any desired amount of beverage, as long as the corresponding valves are open, using a non-programmable button switch, which is pushed manually under pressure and is kept active for any given duration of time. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0006]    It is known that dispensing beverages from bottles is performed on a daily basis, more often than not manually, without an accurate amount the beverage being dispensed into the glass. 
         [0007]    A review of patent documentation has revealed a certain number of documents which are related to dispensing the contents of a bottle, but all of the designs are quite different compared to the solution which is presented by this invention. 
         [0008]    Domestic patent no. 34380 describes the solution for a liquid dispenser cork, which is intended to dispense liquids from a bottle in specific precise doses, thus the application of this invention is of particular significance when using liquid medications which must be taken in specifically exact amounts. 
         [0009]    Shown in domestic patent no. 39045 is the solution for a device used for the measuring of the dispensing of liquids, such as beverages, medications etc. During the dispensing and measuring of a specified amount of liquid, the device is positioned facing downward, wherein a vessel with a canal inside it, is placed in the container interior, and this canal is connected to a valve which is open towards the atmosphere. 
         [0010]    An example of a cover with a liquid dispensing system for bottles is presented in patent no. 50649 B. It is positioned on the bottle and is activated via a handle, wherein a sliding valve, connected to a valve for releasing air into the bottle, is moved. By moving this sliding valve, the liquid is allowed to flow from the bottle, and the release valve allows the air from the atmosphere to enter the dispensed liquid. 
         [0011]    In addition, domestic patent 49804 B shows the solution of a dispenser system for pressurised fluids, along with the process of maintaining the pressure of the fluid, its dispensing and a cartridge for generating pressure which is applied in this system and procedure. The device contains a vessel with a chamber used for receiving the fluid being dispensed, and a chamber for receiving the propellant, whereas the opening is located between the chambers during use. The propellant contains carbon-dioxide, whereas the fillers contain an active gas. This device enables the dispensing of completely fluid contents under the appropriate pressure. 
         [0012]    There is a known solution for a device and method of dispensing and conserving bottled liquids, such as wine, which is described by the patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,121, which at a first glance appears to be similar to the solution given by this application, however it does not solve the problem which is solved by this application. 
         [0013]    There is a recognised solution for a device and the method of dispensing and conserving bottled liquids, such as wine, which is described by the patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,121, wherein an inert gas is released into a bottle through an assembly which is made of a valve and a pipe—thus the beverage under the inert gas pressure goes through a pipe and another valve, and is brought to another pipe and flows into the glass through an opening via the valve. 
         [0014]    In patent no. U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,847, the solution for a wine dispenser is provided, whereby an inert gas is released into the bottle and wine is dispensed into a glass through an assembly made of a cork built into the bottle neck. A pipe for supplying the inert gas to the bottle passes through the cork, along with the pipe for dispensing the wine. 
         [0015]    Neither of the above-mentioned solutions solves the technical problem which is described and solved in this patent application which being submitted, although at first glance, there may be similarities, in particular with patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,121. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION&#39;S ESSENTIALS 
       [0016]    The Detachable Precious Liquids Dispenser System consists of a tank containing an inert gas, pipes for transporting the inert gas and the precious liquid from the bottle, electromagnetic valves, an irreversible valve and a button switch, which are arranged in three sub-assemblies. 
         [0017]    One sub-assembly consists of the tank which contains the inert gas, pipes, electromagnetic valves, two button switches with their corresponding electric lines and part of the pipeline. 
         [0018]    The second sub-assembly contains the remaining part of the pipeline from the first sub-assembly, a tube and the electromagnetic thread of the electromagnetic valve. 
         [0019]    The third sub-assembly, which represents the cork, is made up of an irreversible valve, three tubes and an electromagnetic valve, which is positioned at the bottleneck, thus it forms a separate unit to the bottle, which can be presented separately from the other two sub-assemblies. 
         [0020]    The subsystem for dosing the inert gas is programmed in advance so that the electromagnetic valves and the irreversible valve are open for a desired duration, based on how the programmable button switch has been programmed (e.g. 1, 2, 3, . . . seconds). Thus during this time an amount of inert gas, which is proportional to the programmed time, is released into the bottle. 
         [0021]    By using a programmable button switch, the electromagnetic threads of the valves are put under voltage via electric lines, thus the electromagnetic valves open and remain open for the programmed duration, allowing the pressurised inert gas to enter the bottle through the pipes and valves and to push the precious liquid towards the glass. 
         [0022]    The irreversible valve is opened under pressure (which is higher than atmospheric pressure), by the inert gas that arrives from the tank; hence the inert gas enters the bottle (achieving an overpressure in the bottle) for as long as the irreversible valve is open. Once the programmed duration of the open electromagnetic valves is over, an amount of precious liquid proportional to the amount of inert gas released into the bottle, flows out, hence the pressure inside the bottle becomes equal to the atmosphere pressure and the remaining liquid stays in the protective atmosphere of the inert gas, once the electromagnetic valves are closed. 
         [0023]    By using the button switch, which is not programmable, the process takes place in the same way as when using the programmable button switch, but lasts only for as long as the button switch is kept on. In this way, it is possible to empty the entire contents of the bottle with a single activation of the button switch, keeping it under pressure for the amount of time which is sufficient for the entire amount of precious liquid to flow out of the bottle. 
         [0024]    The advantages of this invention include: the ability of being able to present the cork and bottle separately from the rest of the system; the ability to program the subsystem for the dosing of the inert gas in advance, so that the releasing of the inert gas into the bottle can be performed in accordance with the programming of the programmable button switch. In addition, dosing of the inert gas using the non-programmable button switch can be performed while this switch is activated. 
         [0025]    In any case, the amount of inert gas released from the tank, the amount of precious liquid dispensed out of the bottle, the bottle pressure and the time during which the valves are open are proportional, and the amount of liquid remaining in the bottle is in the protective atmosphere of the inert gas. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    This invention is described in detail in the examples provided by the drawings, wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1 —represents a schematic view of the Detachable Precious Liquids Dispenser System, especially useful for wines, with detached sub-assemblies. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2 —represents the schematic view of the Detachable Precious Liquids Dispenser System, especially useful for wines, in its assembled (working) position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3 —represents a partial cross-section of the sub-assembly consisting of an electromagnetic valve thread and tube and the pipeline for supplying the inert gas to the bottle. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4 —represents a partial cross-section of the sub-assembly consisting of the cork and bottle. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5 —represents a partial cross-section of the sub-assemblies from  FIGS. 3 and 4  combined. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Shown in the figures is the Detachable Precious Liquids Dispenser System, especially useful for wines, which consists of sub-assemblies  17  and  18 , cork  19  and bottle  13 . 
         [0033]    Sub-assembly  17  consists of a tank  1  for the containment of the inert gas, pipeline  2 , electromagnetic valve  3 , programmable button switch  4 , with its accompanying electric lines  6 , button switch  5  with its accompanying electric lines  7  and a part of the tube line  8 . 
         [0034]    Sub-assembly  18  contains the housing  23 , part of the tube line  8 , pipeline  9  and electromagnetic thread  10 , of the electromagnetic valve  15 . 
         [0035]    The cork  19 , consists of an irreversible valve  11 , tube  12 , tube  14 , electromagnetic valve  15 , tube  15 , seal  22 , housing  21  and support  20 . 
         [0036]    Electromagnetic valve  3  is connected on one side to tank  1  via the pipeline  2 , whereas on the other side, it is connected to the tube line  8  via pipeline  9 . The other end of pipeline  9  is connected to the irreversible valve  11  entrance, whereas tube  12  is connected to the irreversible valve  11  exit. 
         [0037]    Tube  12  passes through housing  21 , and rubber seal  22 , and its other end is introduced into the upper part of the bottle  13 . Pipeline  9  was made together with the housing  23 , wherein housing  23  also contains the electromagnetic thread  10 . 
         [0038]    Programmable button switch  4  is connected, via one branch of the electric line  6 , to the electromagnetic thread (not shown individually in the drawings) of the electromagnetic valve  3 , whereas the second branch of pipeline  6  connects it to the electromagnetic thread  10 , of the electromagnetic valve  15 . 
         [0039]    Button switch  5  (non-programmable) is connected in the same way, via one branch of electric line  7 , to the electromagnetic thread of the electromagnetic valve  3 , whereas the other branch of electric line  7  connects it to the electromagnetic thread  10 , of electromagnetic valve  15 . 
         [0040]    Electromagnetic valve  15  is connected to the tube  14  via one end of tube  14  which is introduced into the electromagnetic valve  15 , whereas the other end of tube  14  is introduced into the bottle  13 , and tube  14  passes through housing  21  and seal  22  and it reaches the bottom of the bottle  13 . Electromagnetic valve  15  is connected to tube  16  by means of introducing one end of tube  16  into electromagnetic valve  15 , whereas the other end of tube  16  is free and is connected to the atmosphere. 
         [0041]    Electromagnetic valve  15  is detachable from electromagnetic thread  10  and belongs to the cork  19 . Thus, the cork  19 , located at the neck of bottle  13 , along with bottle  13 , represents a separate entity, which can be presented individually from the sub-assemblies  17  and  18  and deposited at any given location (on a counter, in the refrigerator or anywhere else), wherein the electromagnetic valve  15  is disconnected from the electric grid. 
         [0042]    In this way, only one assembly is used, consisting of sub-assemblies  17  and  18 , to which bottles containing various precious liquids are attached as is required, since one bottle  13  (containing, for example, red wine) with cork  19  can be simply detached from the assembly made of sub-assemblies  17  and  18 , and another bottle  13  (e.g. containing white wine or any other beverage) with its cork  19  can be attached. In this way, it is necessary to have a greater number of corks  19 , which remain in their bottles  13 , until the contents of the bottle  13  have been emptied, and the bottle does not need to be connected to sub-assemblies  17  and  18  at all times. 
         [0043]    During the dispensing of the beverage, sub-assemblies  17  and  18  with cork  19  and bottle  13  represent a single entity, and during this time electromagnetic valve  15  is placed in opening  24 . 
         [0044]    Rubber seal  22  is placed inside a cylindrical opening (which is not marked with a number in the figures provided) of housing  21  and on top of bottleneck  13 , hence it covers the top of the bottleneck from the outer side and partially enters it. Between the rubber seal  22  and bottleneck  13 , both on the inner and outer sides, a rigid connection is achieved, as well as between the opening of rubber seal  22  and tube  12 , and the opening on rubber seal  22  and tube  14 . In this way, the contents of bottle  13  are sealed and isolated from the outside atmosphere. The joint between the cylindrical opening on housing  21 , through which tube  12  passes, along with the joint between the cylindrical opening on housing  21  through which tube  14  passes, is very loose. Located inside the cylindrical opening on housing  21  is irreversible valve  11 . 
         [0045]    Housing  21  with a rubber seal  22 , irreversible valve  11 , tubes  12  and  14 , electromagnetic valve  15  and tube  16  are placed inside a support  20 , in this way forming cork  19 , wherein the irreversible valve  11 , electromagnetic valve  15  and tube  16  are partially outside of the support  20 . 
         [0046]    The sub-system for the dosing of inert gas consists of an electromagnetic valve  3 , programmable button switch  4 , with its accompanying electric lines  6 , button switch  5  with its accompanying electric lines  7 , and electromagnetic thread  10 . The sub-system is pre-programmed so that the electromagnetic valve  3  is open for the desired duration, according to how programmable button switch  4  is programmed (e.g. 1, 2, 3, . . . seconds), thus during this time an amount of inert gas proportional to the programmed duration, i.e. the period during which electromagnetic valve  3  is open, is released from tank  1  into bottle  13 . 
         [0047]    By pressing the programmable button switch  4 , the electromagnetic thread (not shown in the drawings) of the electromagnetic valve  3  is put under voltage via one branch of electric line  6 , whereas the electromagnetic thread  10  of electromagnetic valve  15  is put under voltage via the second branch of electric line  6 , and as a result, electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  open. Electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  remain open for the programmed duration, and the inert gas under pressure from tank  1  enters bottle  13  through pipeline  2 , electromagnetic valve  3 , tube  8 , tube  9 , irreversible valve  11  and tube  12 , thus forcing the beverage through tube  14  and electromagnetic valve  15  into tube  16  through which the glass is filled (not shown in the drawings). Irreversible valve  11  is opened under pressure (which is higher than atmospheric pressure) from the inert gas which arrives from tank  1 , hence the inert gas enters bottle  13  (and achieves overpressure in bottle  13 ) for as long as the irreversible valve  11  is open. Once the programmed time duration during which electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  are open expires, and the amount of beverage proportional to the amount of inert gas released into bottle  13 , the pressure in the bottle  13  becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure and the beverage remaining in the bottle  13  stays in the protective inert gas atmosphere once electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  are closed. 
         [0048]    By pressing the programmable button switch  5 , the electromagnetic thread (not shown in the drawings) of the electromagnetic valve  3  is put under voltage via one branch of electric line  7 , whereas the electromagnetic thread  10  of the electromagnetic valve  15  is put under voltage via the second branch of electric line  7 , and as a result, electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  open and remain so for as long as button switch  5  is active (being pressed). For the programmed duration, electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  remain open, and the inert gas under pressure from tank  1  enters bottle  13  through pipeline  2 , electromagnetic valve  3 , tube  8 , tube  9 , irreversible valve  11  and tube  12 , thus forcing the beverage through tube  14  and electromagnetic valve  15  into tube  16  through which the glass is filled. When using the device in this way, irreversible valve  11  is also opened under inert gas pressure (which is higher than atmospheric pressure), which arrives from tank  1 , thus the inert gas enters bottle  13  (achieving overpressure in bottle  13 ) for as long as the irreversible valve  11  is open. While electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  are open, an amount of beverage which is proportional to the amount of inert gas released into bottle  13  flows out, and once button switch  5  is released, and the pressure in bottle  13  becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure, the flow of beverage into the glass stops and the remaining beverage stays in bottle  13 , in a protective inert gas atmosphere, once electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  are closed. 
         [0049]    In this way it is possible to empty the entire contents of bottle  13  with the single activation of button switch  5 , by keeping it pressed long enough, until all of the beverage flows out of bottle  13 . By releasing button switch  5 , the electromagnetic thread of electromagnetic valve  3 , as well as the electromagnetic thread  10  of electromagnetic valve  15  are no longer under voltage, hence electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  are closed, and in this way the flow of inert gas into bottle  13  and the flow of beverage through tube  16  are interrupted. 
         [0050]    This device has been made in such a way that ensures the complete sealing of all joints and which prevents any leakage of the inert gas and beverage. 
         [0051]    In a device which is constructed in this way, the inert gas is always present above the beverage content in the bottle  13 . When the bottle  13 , together with cork  19 , is connected with the sub-assemblies  18  and  17 , the inert gas is present in bottle  13  above the beverage, regardless of whether electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  are open or closed. 
         [0052]    In the situation that the bottle  13  with cork  19  is separated from sub-assemblies  18  and  17 , electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  are closed, hence the inert gas is also above the beverage content in the bottle  13 , since the irreversible valve  11  is closed as well. 
         [0053]    In this way, by using the irreversible valve  11 , the inert gas which is released into the bottle  13  constantly remains above the beverage content in the bottle  13 . 
         [0054]    In any situation when the electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  are closed, there is isolated atmospheric pressure in bottle  13 , since, due to the inert gas pressure, a proportional amount of precious liquid is dispensed from the bottle  13 , and as a result, the pressure in bottle  13  decreases and is equal to the atmospheric pressure. 
         [0055]    The precious liquid comes into contact with the atmosphere only once it is in the glass, and in this way, the properties of the precious liquid that remain in the bottle  13 , are preserved. 
         [0056]    This invention&#39;s innovativeness is represented by the potential of being able to detach the bottle  13 , and the cork  19 , as a whole from the sub-assemblies  18  and  17  whenever required, while ensuring that the inert gas released into the bottle  13 , above the precious liquid, cannot leave the bottle  13 , which is achieved by installing an irreversible valve  11 . 
         [0057]    At the same time, it is possible to precisely measure the amount of inert gas released into the bottle  13  through tube  12 , and in this way, an amount of precious liquid, proportional to the amount of inert gas released, is dispensed into the glass, and all of this is achieved by means of electromagnetic valve  3  and electromagnetic valve  15  with electromagnetic thread  10  and programmable button switch  4 , wherein the timespan during which the electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  are open is programmed. 
         [0058]    It is possible to release varying amounts of inert gas into the bottle  13  through tube  12 , hence an amount of precious liquid proportional to the amount of inert gas is dispensed into a glass, all of which is achieved by means of electromagnetic valve  3  and electromagnetic valve  15  with electromagnetic thread  10  and programmable button switch  5 , wherein the timespan during which electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  are open is not programmed. 
         [0059]    In any case, the amount of inert gas released from tank  1 , the amount of precious liquid dispensed from the bottle  13 , the pressure in bottle  13  and the duration during which electromagnetic valves  3  and  15  and the irreversible valve  11  are open are proportional. 
         [0060]    A device constructed in this way, according to the invention, achieves an original solution which was the inventor&#39;s intention. 
         [0061]    Review of numbering of positions, as used in the figures and text:
   01) Tank  1     02) Pipeline  2     03) Electromagnetic valve  3     04) Programmable button switch  4     05) Button switch  5     06) Electric line  6     07) Electric line  7     08) Tube line  8     09) Pipeline  9     10) Electromagnetic thread  10     11) Irreversible valve  11     12) Tube  12     13) Bottle  13     14) Tube  14     15) Electromagnetic valve  15     16) Tube  16     17) Sub-assembly  17     18) Sub-assembly  18     19) Cork  19     20) Support  20     21) Housing  21  for cork  19     22) Rubber seal  22     23) Housing  23  of electromagnetic thread  10     24) Opening  24