Patent Publication Number: US-10780405-B2

Title: Liquid dispensing and aerating system

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This Application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/530,820, filed on Jul. 10, 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a liquid delivery device, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a new and novel liquid delivery device that prevents the accidental spilling of liquids and the dropping of liquid containers. 
     Liquid delivery devices and systems have traditionally consisted of pourers, spouts, and aerators that are removably inserted into a neck of a bottle such as spirits or wine bottles. These delivery devices typically have a stopper, with or without externally radiating fins, which engage an inner surface of the neck of the bottle to prevent the separation of the liquid delivery device from the liquid container. The stopper typically has a fluid channel extending through it to permit the passage of a liquid, such as wine, to escape the container when the container is generally inverted during the pouring process. 
     While the typical pourers, spouts, and aerators function adequately they do have the short coming of relying on passive friction to maintain the liquid dispenser in the neck of the bottle or container. This passive friction permits occasional separation of the liquid dispenser from the liquid container causing the liquid to be spilled. Another short coming of the traditional liquid dispensers is that in order to dispense a liquid such as wine from a container, a user typically handles just the liquid container or presses on a stem or spout of the delivery device. Liquid containers often have smooth surfaces due to the common use of glass and plastics during the manufacturing process. In bar and restaurant settings a server&#39;s hands often encounter slippery substances such as water from washing glasses and mixing drinks, and grease from handling dinnerware. When a server&#39;s hands encounter these slippery substances it is possible for a liquid container to slip from their hand causing the liquid dispenser to separate from the container or causing the container to break wasting the liquid contents. 
     While the traditional liquid delivery devices are adequate in achieving their purpose, they fail to provide a new liquid delivery device that prevents the aforementioned short comings while also permitting aeration of the liquid being poured. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A liquid dispensing device and system to dispense, or aerate and dispense a liquid such as wine through a spout is disclosed herein. The dispensing device may have one or more aeration chambers and one or more ports to form multiple aerating segments during the pouring process. The dispensing or liquid dispenser may have a handle to increase grasping of a liquid container or bottle and preventing accidental separation of the dispenser and a container. 
     The liquid dispensing device and system of the present invention also includes a channel or groove permits air to enter an interior of the container holding the liquid. As the air enters the container it enables the liquid contained therein to more easily flow of of the bottle. In one embodiment of the invention, the channel can be partially covered by a seal member that forms one or more open ends in the channel. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view along lines A-A of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view along lines B-B of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view along lines C-C of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is an end view of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid dispenser according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to example embodiments thereof. However, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, embodiment, environment, applications, or implementations described in these embodiments. Therefore, description of these embodiments is only for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention. It should be appreciated that, in the following embodiments and the attached drawings, elements unrelated to the present invention are omitted from depiction; and dimensional relationships among individual elements in the attached drawings are illustrated only for ease of understanding, but not to limit the actual scale. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-11 , a liquid dispenser device and system  10  is designed to be removably inserted into an opening of a neck of a liquid container such as a bottle of liquor, wine, or spirits. As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the liquid dispenser  10  includes a spout  20  that is designed to direct a flow of liquid out of the liquid container. The spout  20  may include a handle  40  extending from a portion of the spout  20 . The handle  40  is designed to be grasped by a user to ensure that the liquid dispenser  10  does not separate from the liquid container. The liquid dispenser  10  also includes a gasket or stop  60  that is adapted to removably secure the spout  20  in fluid communication within the liquid container. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the spout  20  may include a stem portion  21  generally opposite a free pour end  22  of the spout  20 . The stem portion  21  is adapted to be removably inserted into a neck of a liquid container to act as a conduit for the liquid in the container. The stem portion  21  is adapted to be received within at least a portion of a passage way  61  extending through the stop  60 . In one example embodiment, the stem portion  21  may have a length greater than or less than a length of the stop  60 . In another example embodiment, the stem portion  21  may have a reduced outer diameter to permit an outer surface of the stop  60  to be generally flush with an outer surface of the spout  20 . 
     In one example embodiment, as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the stem portion  21  may include a lip  23  proximate a free end thereof that may be adapted to retain the stop  60  to the stem portion  21 . In another example embodiment, the lip  23  may exert pressure on an inner surface of the stop  60  thereby sealing the abutment or interface between the stem portion  21  and the stop  60 . In still another example embodiment, the stop  60  may be fixed to at least a portion of the stem portion  21  by pressure fitting, food grade adhesive, threading, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the free pour end  22  of the spout  20  may include an outlet opening  24  that extends into a channel  25  that may extend generally in a longitudinal axis through the spout  20 . The outlet opening  24  may be formed in the spout  20  by removal of an upper portion of the spout  20  such that a portion of channel  25  has an open top. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , outlet opening  24  may be generally oriented at an angle to a long axis of the spout  20 . The particular orientation of the outlet opening  24  forms generally tapering side walls from a top of the spout  20  toward the free pour end  22  of the spout  20 . The tapering side walls act to retain the liquid during the pouring operation. Other configurations are also contemplated herein and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The channel  25  defines a path or conduit for a flow of the liquid out of the liquid container. As particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the channel  25  extends through an inlet opening  27  in the stem portion  21 . In one embodiment of the invention, as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the channel  25  forms a lower wall surface  28   a , an upper wall surface  28   b , and generally opposed side wall surfaces  28   c  and  28   d.    
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the liquid dispenser  10  may be adapted to aerate the liquid flowing through the channel  25 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the channel  25  may include an aeration segment or chamber  29 . The aeration chamber  29  may be defined by a general narrowing in a portion or a segment of the channel  25 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the channel  25  may have a larger inner diameter at an end of stem portion  21  and then generally taper or narrow toward a mid portion of the liquid dispenser  10  or spout  20 . In one embodiment of the invention, the inner diameter of the channel  25  may open or increase from a portion of the narrow aeration segment or chamber  29  toward the pour end  22  of the spout  20 . 
     As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the liquid dispenser  10  may include one or more ports  30  extending into the spout  20  to inject, infuse or to permit the passage of air into the liquid as it flows through the channel  25  of the spout  20 . The ports  30  may be in fluid communication with aeration chamber  29  or with any other portion of the channel  25 . As liquid flows through the channel  25  it may accelerate as it travels through the chamber  29 . This movement of the liquid draws air or another gas into the aeration chamber  29 , thereby aerating or injecting micro bubbles into the flowing liquid. In one example embodiment, the ports  30  may taper from an outer surface of the spout  20  toward the aeration chamber  29 . The narrowing of the port or ports  30  causes the air or gas to accelerate as it flows into the aeration chamber  29  of the channel  25 . The dual or simultaneous acceleration of the liquid flowing through the aeration chamber  29  and the port or ports  30  significantly increases the aeration process. 
     In one example embodiment of the invention, as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the aeration chamber  29  may be divided into one or more sub-channels by a wall  32  formed or positioned therein. A width or thickness and the height of the wall  32  may generally increase or decrease along its length and/or height such that the wall  32  further narrows or widens the sub-channels in the aeration chamber  29  and thus further increasing or decreasing the flow of liquid therethough. The wall  32  also acts as a blade or fin causing turbulence and cavitation within the liquid flowing through channel  25 . The turbulence acts to accelerate the aeration process. 
     In another example embodiment of the invention, as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 8 , lower wall surface  28   a  may have a lip or ridge  34  formed therein that extends along at least a portion of the length of the spout  20 . The lip  34  may be connected to a portion of the wall  32  to assist in directing a flow of liquid toward the pour end  22  during the pouring operation. The lip  34  further continues the aeration process by creating additional turbulence or mixing of the liquid flowing over lip  34  as it travels toward the free pour end  22 . As the liquid approaches the free pour end  22 , the lower wall surface  28   a  may curve in a generally downward direction toward free pour end  22 . Also, a thickness of lower wall surface  28   a  may decrease toward free pour end  22  to form a sharp edge  36  that controls and prevents dripping of the liquid as the container is moved from the inverted position to its upright position. 
     As briefly described above, liquid dispenser  10  may include a handle  40  that permits a user to simultaneously grab the liquid dispenser  10  and the liquid container, thereby preventing their accidental separation. In one example embodiment, the handle  40  may be formed into or onto a portion of the spout  20 . 
     In another example embodiment, as particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 6-8 , the handle  40  may include a cradle portion  41  adapted to be coupled to or to receive at least a portion of the spout  20 . Cradle portion  41  may function to provide additional support to the spout  20 . Cradle portion  41  may be manufactured from any material, such as any synthetic, semi-synthetic, or natural materials. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , cradle portion  41  may include a recess  42  formed in its wall to receive a portion of spout  20 . The fitting of spout  20  within the recess  42  may prevent rotational movement of spout  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 and 6-7 , a portion of the handle  40  may extend away from and generally parallel to a long axis of the spout  20 . A free end  44  of the handle  40  may extend beyond an end of the stem portion  21  to optionally enable the handle  40  to engage a portion of the liquid container. Referring to the example embodiments of  FIGS. 2 and 6-7 , the handle  40  may have a tongue portion  45  extending therefrom that is insertable into an opening, cavity or mouth  47  formed on the cradle portion  41  of the handle  40 . The handle  40  may be replaced with handles of various sizes and shapes for style purposes or to accommodate liquid containers of various shapes. The handle  40  may also have a design that permits it to abut, engage, or releasably couple to a portion of the container. 
     In one example embodiment, the handle  40  is adapted to prevent the stop  60  from pivoting or moving within the neck of the liquid container in order to further prevent accidental separation of the liquid dispenser  10  and the liquid container. As particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 6-7 , stop  60  includes an arm  63  that extends generally in axial direction from an edge of the side wall of the stop  60 . Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the arm  63  may be adapted to be positioned between the tongue portion  45  of the handle  40  and the stem portion  21  of the spout  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tongue portion  45  may have a lipped end  49  adapted to engage an edge of the arm  63 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the arm  63  may include one or more flanges, fins or a wedges  65  that are adapted to engage a surface of the tongue portion  45 . The fins  65  may act as a spring or cushion to bias the handle  40  generally away from the liquid container. In another example embodiment, as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the fins or wedge  65  may have an edge  67  that is generally orthogonal to a long axis of the stop  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , edge  67  may have a generally concave curvature that permits it to abut and, optionally, form to an edge or lip of the liquid container when the stop  60  is inserted into the container. The edge  67  acts to cushion the engagement of liquid dispenser  10  with an edge of the container. The edge  67  may further act to create friction between liquid dispenser  10  and the container in order to prevent rotation of liquid dispenser  10  in the container. 
     Stop  60  and its fins  65  may be composed of similar or dissimilar materials such as but not limited to rubber or cork. As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an outer diameter of the stop  60  may generally taper from the tongue portion  45  to a free end to assist the insertion of the stop  60  into the container. An outer surface of the stop  60  may be smooth or textured, for example with ridges, dimples, annular lips and the like, to further ensure proper engagement between the liquid dispenser  10  and the container. 
     In use, the stop or gasket  60  may be removably inserted into a bottle neck of a liquid container such as wine or liquor bottle. As the stop  60  is inserted, the handle  40  becomes positioned generally parallel to a long axis of the liquid container. Once the stop  60  is seated in the neck of the container it acts to seal the liquid container opening. A user may grasp the handle  40  and the liquid container together in order to generally invert the container and to dispense the liquid through the spout  20 . Grasping the handle  40  and the container together provides the user with an improved handling of the container. 
     As the handle  40  is grasped it may pivot generally toward the liquid dispenser  10  and container. The pivoting of the handle  40  prevents movement of a long axis of the liquid dispenser  10 . This non-displacement of the liquid dispenser  20  ensures that the stop  60  is not deformed and thus permitted to maintain its sealing properties. 
     As the container is inverted, liquid begins to flow through the liquid dispenser and into another container such as a wine glass. In example embodiments designed to aerate the liquid, the liquid enters the stem portion  21  and may be separated by the wall  32  into separate aeration chambers  29 . The separation of the liquid by the wall  32  causes cavitation or turbulence of the liquid in the separate aeration chambers  29 . A narrowing of the channel  25  increases a flow rate of liquid through aeration chambers  29 . As the flow rate increases air is drawn into the ports  30 . The narrowing of the ports  30  causes an increase in a flow rate of the air flowing therethrough. The increased flow rates of the air and the liquid causes an increased and improved aeration of the liquid before it is dispensed into a glass or another container. 
     In example embodiments having more than one port  30 , a user may selectively close or cover one or more, or all of the ports  30  with a finger or thumb to vary the amount of aerating of the liquid. Selectively closing one or more of the ports  30  may also slow down the overall rate of the flow of the liquid through spout  20 . Other portion closure mechanisms are also contemplated herein. For example, a movable collar or door structure may be operatively coupled to or formed on a portion of the liquid dispenser  10  to selectively control the amount of air flowing into the ports  30 . 
     In some embodiments, as the aerated liquid flows through the spout  20  it may encounter the lip  34 , which may cause additional turbulence, mixing, and aeration of the liquid as it flows toward the free pour end  22 . As the liquid approaches the free pour end  22 , the lower wall surface  28   a  may curve down toward the free pour end  22 . Also, a thickness of a lower wall or portion of the spout  20 , may decrease toward the free pour end  22  to form a sharp edge  36 . When the liquid container is generally inverted during the pouring process the curved surface of the lower wall  28   a  may cause the adhesion of the liquid to be maintained until it reaches the sharp edge  36 . Once the liquid encounters the sharp edge  36  it abruptly reduces liquid adhesion causing the liquid to be dispensed into another container such as a wine glass. The abrupt reduction in the adhesion creates a uniform pour stream thereby reducing or eliminating drips and spills. The sharp edge  36  also prevents the liquid from running down the side of the liquid dispenser  10  and the container after pouring. 
     The aerator embodiment uses the Venturi affect to pull air in and through the ports  30  when a liquid such as wine is poured (container inverted). As a liquid flows through the sub-channels of the aeration chamber  29  they draw in air through the ports  30  which forms micro air bubbles in the passing liquid. As the liquid or wine passes by the ports  30  the two streams of aerated liquid come together and are released into the open area or space of the spout  20 . At this point, another aeration step may occur as the liquid mixes over the lip  34 . Yet another aeration step may also occur as the liquid falls into and mixes together in the glass. 
     As wine or a liquid is poured out of the container air is permitted to flow back into the bottle or container to replace the liquid or wine leaving the bottle or container. The air is allowed back to the bottle through an inlet port  37  that is formed in the spout  20 . The inlet port  37  is in fluid communication with an interior of the container via a channel or groove  38  running along a length of stem portion  21 . The stop  60  may enclose the groove  38  thereby forming an air fluid tunnel or channel into the interior of the bottle or container. Alternatively, a fully enclosed tunnel or channel may be formed in and along a length of the stem portion  21 . In an example embodiment of the invention, the inlet portion  37  may be positioned generally proximate the ports  30  and may be selective closed to control a flow of liquid flowing out of the container.