Abstract:
An interchangeable bottletop aerator for controllably mixing air with a liquid contained in a bottle. The apparatus includes a receptacle and an interchangeable aerator module that is inserted into the receptacle. The receptacle engages and seals the bottle through a multi lumen cylinder that extends inside the narrow neck of the bottle. It has internal structures to adjust flow characteristics of the liquid and encapsulates the module. The module has multiple channels and sections to apply predetermined aeration and flow speed to the contained liquid. The inserted module can be replaced on demand with a different module to change the aeration parameters and adapt the aeration characteristics to various liquids. The interchangeable bottletop aerator presents a solution to the changing aeration requirements of different liquids like wine in a compact, easy to use, and easy to produce package by means of simply replacing and employing different modules inside the receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    N/A 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    N/A 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    N/A 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates to an interchangeable bottletop aerator that is removably engaged on top of a bottle to aerate a liquid such as different types of wine contained in the bottle while the liquid is being poured from the bottle. 
         [0006]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0007]    The use of wine aerators is known in the prior art. Decanting as a means of aeration is as old as wine making. The old way of decanting wine in a vessel results in long wait periods and heterogeneous aeration of wine. Presently, more active means of decanting are performed by a plurality of aerators as well as old decanting containers. There exist several different configurations of aerators that are used external to the bottle, sit on the neck of the bottle and even inside the bottle. The self-standing aerators are the most common designs. They require using two hands or a separate stand to stabilize the aeration chamber above a wine glass like the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,614 to Sabadicci et al. Further iterations of the same concept are disclosed as glass top versions in the example disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,906 to Benton et al., U.S. Pat. App. Nos. 2011/0271846 A1 to Hynes and 2012/0201942 A1 to Kilduff et al. The wine pouring process in all these similar designs is not regulated and left to the user, frequently resulting in sub-optimal aeration and spillage. The articulated wine aerator of U.S. Pat. App. No 2012/0012718 A1 to Tiso attempts to facilitate an easier way to use aerators by means of an attachment to the containment bottle. The nonstandard outside dimensions of bottles makes this also a less than ideal solution. Example designs of bottletop aerators are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,540 B1 of Peckels, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,541 B2 of Barberio et al. These designs consist of complicated multi piece assemblies that are difficult to clean and expensive to produce. The bottletop design that is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. No 2012/0074092 A1 of Devoy et al. would be difficult to reuse and limited in the aeration effectiveness. 
         [0008]    Despite the multitude of existing different designs and disclosures, there is a need in the art to improve the shortcomings of these apparatus for a bottletop aerator device to better control the aeration process of various liquids. 
         [0009]    Notwithstanding the number of aerators and designs that have been produced, none consist of two pieces which are interchangeably engaged together to form a modular aerating mechanism that is easily altered accordingly for different wines and liquids, easy to clean, easy to produce and use on a bottletop design that is used single-handedly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Decanting and aeration exposes wine to air, triggering oxidation and evaporation at the same time. The job of a good aerator is helping undesirable components to evaporate faster than fruit compounds oxidize in different wine selections. As the undesirable compounds dissipate, fruit seems to intensify giving the impression of softened structure. From a chemical standpoint, wine contains hundreds of compounds. However, the fruit character and thus allure of the wine come from a small portion of them. The fruit concentration and oxidation mitigating factors such as acidity, temperature, added sulfite concentration and naturally occurring sulfides create different responses to the aeration process. This necessitates the requirement of different aeration schemes for different wines. 
         [0011]    Most aerators work by employing the venturi principle to mix multiple liquids or gases. The fluid flowing through a channel increases speed by the decreasing channel size. This speed change creates a pressure differential if a second channel is converged at the constriction point. That fact is employed to create a vacuum effect at such narrowed channels to suction one fluid into the other thereby creating a mixing effect. These devices may have a single or plurality of sections placed alongside the flow channels sequentially. 
         [0012]    The object of the present invention is to incorporate a solution to this requirement of controlling the aeration while solving the shortcomings of prior art. The preferred embodiment that is explained here and any other ramifications given are presented in order that the invention is better understood and as such the invention should not be considered as limited to the descriptions set forth in the text and shown in the drawings. 
         [0013]    The present invention comprises of a housing receptacle, which is removably engaged to a bottle and an aerator module, which is interchangeably inserted into said receptacle. The receptacle contains a single cylinder section extending into the bottle to seal the inside of the bottle opening. The inside of the cylinder is bifurcated to separate the outgoing liquid flow and incoming airflow to regulate the aeration process. The liquid channel has internal structures to speed and disturb the laminar flow thereby increasing the Reynolds Number (Re) and introducing turbulence in the flow field. The turbulent flow of the liquid enables faster and more homogeneous mixing of the air and the fluid, which happens to be essentially the aeration process. Conversely in a laminar flow field, the aeration can be limited to the layers adjacent to the flow regulating container boundaries resulting in heterogeneous and sub-optimal aeration. The turbulence of the flow field is characterized by the Re which is proportional to the density of the fluid, mean velocity of the relative movement of the fluid and the container, the hydraulic diameter of the flow channel and inversely proportional to the dynamic viscosity of the fluid. The density and the viscosity of the fluid cannot be changed for a given fluid and temperature for the practical purposes of our application. The speed with which the fluid flows is the function of gravitational forces acting on the fluid during the pouring process and is inversely proportional to the orifice opening area. Thus, in theory it is possible to increase the speed of the fluid flow by constricting the orifice size of the flow from the bottle. However, surface tension effects of the boundary layers place a limit in the velocity increase for decreasing orifice openings. The optimal orifice opening in this fluid channel depends on the fluid type and the acceptable time for a certain amount of fluid to pass through it and as such cannot be manipulated beyond certain ranges. Nevertheless, the Re can be further manipulated by introducing roughness in the boundary layers and including a stifling mechanism in the flow field. The fluid channel of the receptacle of the present invention includes a stirring post and the inside walls are textured for added roughness. These, in turn, force the fluid flow to be more turbulent while passing the liquid channel of the receptacle. 
         [0014]    Thereafter, the liquid fluidly connects to the aerator module that is slidably inserted into the receptacle. The module can be a simple design of a venturi tube. It can have multiple sequential sections like described in some of the prior art. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the interchangeable aerator module has a plurality of parallel channels to furcate the liquid flow. Each channel has non-uniformly placed aeration holes to create different flow patterns. These holes are located in different sections that are placed consecutively in series along the individual channels. An obturator chamber follows these sections to combine and thereby further mix the flow from the plurality of incoming parallel fluid channels. The distal wall of obturator chamber creates a wave breaking and fold-back effect on the incoming multiple flow fields. The opening in the obturator wall allows the desired amount of liquid to pass while regulating the turbulent flow back to laminar flow. This orifice has a dedicated aeration hole in the preferred embodiment. The following section of the module further regulates the flow to decrease spillage and spraying. 
         [0015]    In the distal end of the receptacle, the preferred embodiment has an undisturbed cylindrical section to engage a plug cap to seal the assembly and so the liquid inside the bottle. The same cap is designed to be employed as a base cradle when the assembly is not placed on the bottle. The opening in this distal end of the receptacle is designed in a classical pouring rim shape to eliminate dripping. 
         [0016]    For one skilled in the art, the objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing descriptions and drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exploded side view of present invention with a bottle 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the receptacle 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective top view of the receptacle 
           [0020]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective bottom view of the receptacle 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective top view of the aerator module 
           [0022]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective bottom view of the aerator module 
           [0023]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of the aerator module 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective top view of the aerator module inside the receptacle 
           [0025]      FIG. 4B  is a sectional view of the aerator module inside the receptacle 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective top view of the base/cap 
           [0027]      FIG. 5B  is a sectional view of the base/cap 
           [0028]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective bottom view of the base/cap 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the base below and cap above the receptacle 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1  the interchangeable bottletop aerator of the present invention consists of a receptacle, housing, carrier  20  and an interchangeable, replaceable aerator module, cartridge, insert  40  that is slidably inserted into receptacle  20 , which is removably engaged to a bottle, container  99 . 
         [0031]    Receptacle  20  has a multi-lumen cylinder, cylindrical appendage member  32  at its proximal end to slidably engage into the bottle as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . The cylinder is conical in nature to create the sliding into the bottle and removably seal the fluid connection between receptacle  20  and bottle  99 . In the preferred embodiment of the interchangeable bottletop aerator there are two lumens inside cylinder  32 . A channel, passage, duct  21  creates a passageway for the air going into the bottle to replace the emptied liquid. A second channel, passage, duct  22  is the path the emptying liquid follows. Liquid channel  22  is wider at the proximal end of receptacle  20  and narrows before fluidly connecting to a chamber  38 , which houses module  40 . The bottle lip sits in a slot, chamber  34  whereby cylinder  32  creates the seal between receptacle  20  and the bottle. A post, disturber, stirrer  24  is placed in the center of liquid channel  22 . Post  24  is better visible in  FIG. 2C  along with air channel  21 , fluid channel  22  and multi lumen cylinder  32 . A liquid shearing no-drip lip  26  is incorporated at the distal end of receptacle  20 . In order to keep aerator module  40  safely inside receptacle  20 , a locking ridge, blocker  28  is placed at the distal end of chamber  38 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a top and perspective view of receptacle  20 . Air channel  21 , fluid channel  22  and stirrer  24  are visible at the center of the figure. Ridge  28  is supported by a right guide  37 A and a left guide  37 B where the guides also help keep module  40  in place. Chamber  38  also includes a placement key  39  to guide the correct insertion of module  40 . A right sealing ridge  35 A and a left sealing ridge  35 B help placement of module  40  and further creates a seal between the module and the receptacle.  FIG. 2C  further illustrates a channel wall  25  that envelops liquid channel  22 . Added texture and roughness on wall  25  enhance turbulence and aeration effectiveness. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C present a perspective top view, a perspective bottom view and side view of the preferred embodiment of interchangeable aerator module  40 , respectively. An airflow channel  41  lets the passage of air into air channel  21  of the receptacle at the proximal end of the module. At the distal end of the module, a fluid channel  42  dispenses the liquid emptying from the bottle. A post, header, support  43  creates the predetermined compression to push down and seal module  40  inside chamber  38 . Right and left seals  35 A and  35 B help this seal between module  40  and receptacle  20 . Fluid channel  22  of the receptacle fluidly mates to a first fluid channel  50  and a second fluid channel  51  of the module. A divider wall, panel  52  separates channels  50  and  51 . The paths of channels  50  and  51  go through an accelerator, redirection subsection  44 , a linear, straight subsection  45  and a flow mixing, wave reflection, wave fold-back subsection  54 . In subsection  44 , channel  50  and channel  51  have aeration holes  46 A and  46 B, respectively. In subsection  45 , channel  50  and channel  51  have aeration holes  47 A and  47 B, respectively. Fold-back chamber  54  is fluidly connected to a fluid regulation and control channel  56 . Channel  56  has an additional aeration hole  48 . A wall, separator  55  is the border between chamber  54  and channel  42 . A conforming partial disc  49 A is at the proximal end of the module to seat the module in chamber  38  of the receptacle. A second conforming partial guide disc  49 B is placed around channel  56  to help the placement of the module around placement key  39 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4A  illustrates module  40  inserted into receptacle  20 . Right sealing ridge  35 A and left sealing ridge  35 B sit flush with module  40  for maintaining the tight seal between the module and the receptacle. This seal is also maintained by the static push of post  43  of module  40  in the chamber  38  of receptacle  20 . Fluid regulation channel  56  and fluid flow channel  42  are visible at the distal end of the receptacle. Ridge  28  keeps the module in place by blocking post  43 . 
         [0035]    The cross sectional view of module  40  inserted into receptacle  20  is shown in  FIG. 4B . This view shows the abovementioned references to clarify the interactions between the module and the receptacle. 
         [0036]    In the preferred embodiment of the interchangeable bottletop aerator, there is a base  70  as shown in  FIG. 5A . Cross sectional view of base  70  is seen in  FIG. 5B . An inside wall  74  is designed to hold the proximal end of the receptacle to provide a cradle for the bottletop aerator when the aerator is not in use. Base  70  has an outside wall  76 . Wall  76  has the appropriate angle to removably engage the distal end of the receptacle. This design makes the base  70  a dual use device as it can be used as a base by removably engaging the proximal end of receptacle  20  into base  70  along wall  74  and as plug  70  by removably engaging it at the distal end of receptacle  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . A collection bowl  78  is at the bottom of base  70  to collect the left over liquid after removing the bottletop aerator from the bottle. When used as a cap, cap  70  has a ridge  71  to give the user the ability to grab and remove cap  70  from receptacle  20  as shown in  FIG. 5C . 
         [0037]    The interchangeable bottletop aerator functions by inserting aerator module  40  into receptacle  20 . The receptacle is then engaged into the bottle. Cylinder  32  is designed to create a liquid tight seal between the receptacle and the bottle. The bottle is tilted to start the flow of the liquid. Lip  26  is the indicator of the discharge direction. The liquid makes contact with fluid channel  22  and speeds up as the channel narrows. The object here is creating speed and achieving turbulent flow by the increasing Re. The Re also increases by introducing stirring in the flow path. Post  24  is front facing the incoming flow and is a long weak member attached at the distal end of channel  22 . The flow makes post  24  vibrate and this helps create more turbulence. Wall  25  has micro textured structure to further help to create a more turbulent fluid flow. In the other lumen of cylinder  32 , airflow channel  21  lets the air flow into the bottle to replace the displaced liquid. When the liquid reaches the distal end of channel  22 , it fluidly connects to subsection  44  of aerator module  40 . In subsection  44 , the liquid is split into multiple flow channels. In the preferred embodiment, the flow is bifurcated into fluid channel  50  and fluid channel  51 . Divider wall  52  shears the flow into the fluid channels. Every obstacle in the fluid part creates roughness and increases Re that results in achieving more turbulent flow. Fluid channels  50  and  51  encounters aeration holes  46 A and  46 B, respectively. Holes  46 A and  46 B are placed with an offset to further create differences in the liquid flow patterns of their respective channels. Liquid enters the linear subsection  45  following channels  50  and  51  next. Aeration holes  47 A and  47 B provide more aeration. They are also placed offset to each other. The liquid flows out of channels  50  and  51  into flow mixing subsection  54 . Wall  55  acts as an obturator in front of fluid channels  50  and  51 . The liquid streams hit wall  55  and fold-back into each other in subsection  54  quickly filling the subsection. The individually aerated fluid streams are blended into each other in this chamber to homogenize the effect of aeration on the liquid. The blended turbulent flow of the liquid has to be brought back to laminar flow. Wall  55  has channel  56  to let the liquid out of chamber  54 . The cross sectional area of channel  56  is designed to provide desired flow rate. Aerator hole  48  provides further aeration to the liquid passing through channel  56 . At this point the flow is close to the distal end of the receptacle. Flow out channel  42  acts as a flow regulator to convert the flow field into a laminar flow. Consequently, the liquid flow reaches lip  26  and pours out of the bottletop aerator. 
         [0038]    The fruit content of wine depends on multiple factors as outlined in the summary section. For different wines the aeration amount and speed make a difference in the softened structure reached at the end of aeration. The dissipation speed and amount of unwanted compounds also change the aeration requirements depending on the type of wine and winemaking techniques. Multiple parallel channels and multiple sections with dedicated aeration holes placed at different locations in the liquid flow path of aeration module  40  allows the person skilled in the art to design the appropriate aeration amount, speed and thus softened wine structure for different wines. The preferred embodiment disclosed here consist of two separate flow channels and 4 chamber subsections with 5 aeration holes. However, it should be obvious to the person skilled in the art that in a different embodiment the number of parallel channels, the number of flow path subsections, the existence, placement and size of the aeration holes can be changed to achieve the desired effect. The end user need but only interchange the aerator module inside the receptacle for different aeration schemes. In a further different embodiment, the aerator module can be designed with adjustable inner structures that the user can modify for different wines. In another embodiment, the aerator module can have helper modules that can modify the flow path structures by slidingly engaging the suitable sections of the aerator module. These helper modules can include filters for sediment catching or slowing the flow further down. Similarly, the aerator module can have removable sections to change the aeration scheme like increasing the flow speed or air flowing into the liquid. 
         [0039]    It should be obvious to the reader that the interchangeable bottletop aerator presents a solution to the changing aeration requirements of different liquids like wine in a compact, easy to use and easy to produce package by simply replacing the interchangeable aerator module inside the receptacle. 
         [0040]    The details of the description of the interchangeable bottletop aerator contain explanations and exemplifications of the preferred embodiment thereof. They are not limitations on the scope of the invention. 
         [0041]    The scope of the invention is determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents and not by the embodiments illustrated.