Patent Publication Number: US-2015068406-A1

Title: Wine aerator

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Oftentimes it is desirable to aerate red wine prior to drinking. One manner in which red wine is aerated is by pouring the wine from the wine bottle to a decanter prior to pouring into a drinker&#39;s glass. Other devices exist where the device is independent of the wine bottle and must be held over a wine glass so that wine is poured from the bottle through the device and into the wine glass. 
     There are other aeration devices configured to fit with the neck of a wine bottle. Many of these devices have complicated structures or moving components, which makes for a more complex device. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the above, an example of an improved wine aerator includes a spout, a deflector connected with the spout, and an upper spout element connected with the spout. The spout is configured to connect with the neck of an associated wine bottle. The spout defines an upstream outlet passage terminating at an intermediate outlet opening. The spout also includes an extension defining a lower downstream surface downstream from the intermediate outlet opening. The deflector connects with the spout and is spaced from the lower downstream surface. The deflector is aligned with the intermediate outlet opening to cover the intermediate outlet opening. The upper spout element connects with the spout and is offset from the lower downstream surface. The upper spout element at least partially defines an aeration opening downstream from the intermediate outlet opening and the deflector. The upper spout element is configured to at least partially direct wine toward a downstream outlet opening while air contacts the wine through the aeration opening. 
     Another example of a wine aerator includes a spout, a deflector connected with the spout, and an upper spout element connected with the spout. The spout is configured to connect with the neck of an associated wine bottle. The spout defines an upstream outlet passage terminating at an intermediate outlet opening. The spout also defines a wine aeration flow path downstream from the intermediate outlet opening. The upper spout element defines an upper boundary of the wine aeration flow path. The upper spout element at least partially defines an aeration opening downstream from the deflector. The upper spout element is configured to at least partially direct wine along the wine aeration flow path toward a downstream outlet opening while air contacts the wine through the aeration opening while wine is being poured through the wine aerator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the wine aerator. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the wine aerator. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the wine aerator. 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the wine aerator in a position where wine is being poured from a wine bottle through the wine aerator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wine aerator  10  generally includes a spout  12 , a deflector  14 , an upper spout element  16 , and a straw  18 . The spout  12  is configured to connect with the neck of a wine bottle. The deflector  14  connects with the spout  12  and redirects wine that contacts the deflector to aid in the aeration of the wine. The upper spout element  16  connects with the spout  12  and is configured to further direct the wine during the pouring and aeration process. The straw  18  allows air to enter into the wine bottle while wine is being poured from the bottle and the straw allows wine to reenter the bottle after pouring and after the wine bottle has been returned to an upright orientation. With reference to  FIG. 3 , the wine aerator  10  generally defines a first (vertical) axis  22  and a second (transverse) axis  24 , which is transverse to the vertical axis  22 . 
     The spout  12  includes a base section  32  that is inserted into the wine bottle, a mid-section  34  positioned above the base section  32 , and an extension  36  extending from the mid-section  34  away from the base section  32 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the spout  12  defines an upstream outlet passage  38  through which wine travels when being poured from the wine bottle. The upstream outlet passage  38  terminates at an intermediate outlet opening  42 . The spout  12  also defines a wine aeration flow path  44  downstream from the intermediate outlet opening  42 . 
     The lower section  32  includes a cylindrical exterior wall  46  that is made from a rigid material such as plastic. The cylindrical exterior wall  46  has a diameter small enough so that the lower section  32  fits into the opening in the neck of a wine bottle. The outer diameter of the cylindrical exterior wall  46  is large enough so that a snug fit is provided between the cylindrical exterior wall  46  and the interior of the wine bottle. An overmold  48  is provided over the cylindrical exterior wall  46 . The overmold  48  is a flexible material, e.g. silicone, to provide a seal between the wine bottle and the lower section  32  of the spout  12 . Annular ribs  52  are formed on the overmold  48  to enhance the seal between the spout  12  and the neck of the wine bottle. The lower section  32  also includes a curved internal wall  54  that defines a passage  56  that receives the straw  18 . The curved internal wall  54  separates the upstream outlet passage  38  from the passage  56  that receives the straw  18 . 
     The lower section  32  transitions to the mid-section  34  at a shoulder  60 , which is an external surface that is generally normal to the vertical axis  22 . The spout  12  is pressed into the wine bottle opening until the top of the wine bottle is pressed against the shoulder  60 . The mid-section  34  includes an outer side wall  62  that is generally cylindrical. The mid-section  34  is also made from a rigid material such as plastic. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the mid-section  34  also includes an internal wall  64  that separates the upstream outlet passage  38  from an air inlet passage  66  formed in the spout  12 . The air inlet passage  66  opens to ambient at an air inlet opening  68 . 
     As more clearly seen in  FIG. 2 , the mid-section  34  also includes a pedestal  70 . A fastener opening  72  is provided in the pedestal  70 . The fastener opening  72  can be threaded. The fastener opening  72  allows for the connection of the upper spout element  16  to the spout  12 . Peg openings  74  are provided in the pedestal  70 . The peg openings  74  are located above the fastener openings  72 . The peg openings  74  allow for attachment of the deflector  14  and the upper spout element  16  to the spout  12 . 
     The extension  36  includes a lower wall  80  that defines a lower downstream surface  82 , which is substantially planar in the illustrated embodiment. The lower downstream surface  82  defines a lower boundary of the wine aeration flow path  44 . The extension  36  also includes a left side wall  84  and a right side wall  86  that define sides of the wine aeration flow path  44 . Each side wall  84 ,  86  extends from a respective edge of the lower wall  80  toward the upper spout element  16 . Each side wall  84 ,  86  is angled away from the transverse axis  22 , which is a central axis of the extension  36 . The left side wall  84  defines a left shelf  88  and the right side wall  86  defines a right shelf  92 . The upper spout element  16  rests on the shelves  88 ,  92 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the spout  12  also includes a ledge  96 . The ledge  96  extends in the same general direction as the side walls  84 ,  86  of the extension  36 . The ledge  96  extends upwardly from the shelves  88 ,  92  and generally follows the curvature of the periphery of the upper spout element  16 . The ledge  96  extends above the upper spout element  16 . The ledge  96  in cooperation with the upper spout element  16  can redirect wine back into the wine bottle through the air inlet opening  68  and the straw  18 . 
     The deflector  14  connects with the spout upstream from the wine aeration flow path  44 . The deflector  14  includes a substantially thin flat element  110  having posts  112  (only one visible in  FIG. 2 ) that are received in the post openings  74  provided in the pedestal  70  at the mid-section  34  of the spout  12 . The flat element  110  making up the deflector  14  is of generally truncated oval shape having a narrower parabolic edge  114  and a wider parabolic edge  116 . The vertex  118  of the narrower parabolic edge  114  is positioned adjacent the air inlet opening  68 . The deflector  14  extends over the intermediate outlet opening  42  so that the deflector  14  is aligned with the intermediate outlet opening  42  to cover the intermediate outlet opening such that wine exiting the intermediate outlet opening while being poured from the wine bottle contacts the deflector. With reference to  FIG. 3 , the deflector  14  includes a lower (contact) surface  122  and an upper surface  124 . The contact surface  122  is shaped to disperse the wine that contacts the deflector  14  into a fan-shaped stream. The contact surface  122  is generally planar while having a slight V-shaped curvature, which is centered along the transverse axis  24 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the deflector  14  is spaced from the lower downstream surface  82 , which is the surface in which the intermediate outlet opening  42  is located. 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the upper spout element  16  connects with the spout  12  and is offset from the lower downstream surface  82 . The upper spout element  16  defines an upper boundary of the wine aeration flow path  44 . With respect to  FIG. 2 , the upper spout element  16  includes an oval ring-shaped section  130  and a substantially planar mounting section  132  that is internal of the oval ring-shaped section. The mounting section  132  includes a fastener opening  134  that is configured to receive a fastener  136 . The fastener  136  is received in the fastener opening  134  in the planar mounting section  132  and the fastener opening  72  in the pedestal  70  to connect the upper spout element  16  to the spout  12 . Peg openings  138  are also provided in the mounting section  132 . The pegs  112  on the deflector  14  are received in the peg openings  138  in the mounting section  132  and the peg openings  74  in the pedestal  70  of the mid-section  34  of the spout  12 . 
     The upper spout element  16  at least partially defines an aeration opening  142 , which is downstream from the intermediate outlet opening  42  and the deflector  14 . The aeration opening  142  is a substantially oval-shaped opening that is partially covered by the deflector  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the aeration opening  142  is surrounded by the upper spout element  16  and the deflector  14 . 
     The upper spout element  16  is configured to direct wine that has fanned out due to contact with the deflector  14  and direct the fanned-out stream of wine toward a downstream outlet opening  144  while wine is being poured through the wine aerator  10 . The upper spout element  16  directs the wine toward the downstream outlet opening  144  while air contacts the wine through the aeration opening  142 . As mentioned above, the extension  36  and the upper spout element  16  define the downstream outlet opening  144 . The spout  12  and the upper spout element  16  are configured such that air enters through the downstream outlet opening  144  to contact a lower surface of the wine along the wine aeration flow path  44  while wine is being poured through the wine aerator  10 . 
     The oval-shaped ring section  130  includes a distal end  146  of the upper spout element  16 . The distal end  146  of the upper spout element  16  is disposed downstream from the furthest edge  148  of the extension  36 . The oval ring-shaped section  130  of the upper spout element  16  tapers toward the lower wall  80  of the extension  36  adjacent the distal edge  146  of the upper spout element. The distal end  146  of the oval ring-shaped section  130  is nearly coplanar with the lower downstream surface  82  of the extension  36 . 
     In use, a person inserts the lower section  32  of the spout  12  into the opening in the neck of a wine bottle. The wine bottle is then tipped to pour wine from the bottle, which places the wine aerator  10  is in the orientation shown in  FIG. 4 . Wine passes through the upstream outlet passage  38  in the spout  12  and is discharged from the upstream outlet passage at the intermediate outlet opening  42 . The wine leaving the intermediate outlet opening  42  then contacts the contact surface  122  of the deflector  14 . Upon contacting the contact surface  122  of the deflector  14 , the stream of wine changes into a fan-shaped stream as designated by the arrows in  FIG. 4 , and flows along the wine aeration flow path  44 . The wine in the fan-shaped stream rides along a lower surface  150  of the oval ring-shaped section  130  of the upper spout element  16 . Due to surface tension in the fan-shaped stream of wine along the wine aeration flow path  44  and the oval shape of the oval-shaped section  130 , a thin stream of wine spans between opposite sections (on opposite sides of the lateral axis  24 ) of the oval-shaped section and spans across the aeration opening  142 . As such, air can contact this upper surface of the fan-shaped stream. Moreover, since the contact surface  122  of the deflector  14  and the lower surface  150  of the oval ring-shaped section  130  are both spaced from the lower downstream surface  82  of the extension, air can enter through the downstream outlet opening  144  and contact a lower surface of the fan-shaped stream of wine to aerate an undersurface of the wine stream as well. The tapering of the oval ring-shaped section  130  toward the lower wall  80  of the extension  36  directs the wine downwardly into an awaiting wine glass. 
     While wine is being poured, air enters through the air inlet opening  68  in the spout  12 . The air travels through the air inlet passage  66  in the spout  12 , which is connected with an internal passage  152  of the straw  18 . The air inlet  68  allows for faster pouring of the wine from the bottle without “glugging.” When the wine bottle is returned to its upright configuration so that the wine aerator is positioned as shown in  FIG. 1 , any wine found on an upper surface  154  of the upper spout element  16  is directed back into the bottle. Any wine on the upper surface of the upper spout element  16  contacts the ledge  96  and is directed toward the air inlet opening  68  and back through the straw  18  into the wine bottle. 
     The wine aerator has been described above with particularity. Modifications and alterations will occur to those upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. The invention, however, is not limited to only the embodiment described above. Instead, the invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof. It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.