Patent Abstract:
An apparatus and method for delivering oxygen, oxygen enriched air, or air through a delivery system from one vessel containing a higher pressure concentration of the gas into another vessel containing a liquid at atmospheric pressure introduced through a diffuser or dispersion nozzle including one or more passages in a controlled, regulated manner. This process and apparatus provide the liquid with an oxygenation level for improved flavor in a short amount of time.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/326,324 filed Apr. 21, 2010. 
     
    
       [0002]    Historically, wine decanting was a process to filter out sediment left in the wine bottle after aging, and mixing air into the wine to enhance its taste. As used here, decanting will be defined as a process to aerate or—more specifically, increase the dissolved oxygen concentration in wine or other liquids. In order for wine to reach its optimum drinking potential, typically one allows the wine to “breathe” which means expose the wine to air, preferably for a number of hours. Traditionally this has been done by uncorking a bottle and pouring the wine into another vessel which has a widened body so that a greater surface area of wine is exposed to the air. Exposure to air helps break up and dispel the concentrated gasses present in the wine which have been kept from exposure to air up until the point that the bottle is opened. The decanting process increases the dissolved oxygen level in the wine and is generally recognized to improve flavors and balancing on the palate by increasing depth and complexity of the wine&#39;s undertone flavors as well as softening harsh tannins and opening up its aromatics. 
         [0003]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example systems, methods, and so on that illustrates various example embodiments of aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. An element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example decanter. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example decanter in use. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an example decanter in use. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of an example commercial decanting system in use. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of an example commercial decanting system in use. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  is a diagrammatic and schematic view of an example commercial decanting system in use, respectively. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic view of an example decanting system in use. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an example decanter. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  are a perspective view of an example decanter including various sized “gas” cartridges. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 10   a - 10   c  are an exploded side perspective, a side perspective view, and a top plan form view of an example decanter, respectively. 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  is a cut away perspective view of an example decanter. 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view and functional block diagram of an example decanter. 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an example decanter. 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of an example decanter. 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of an example decanter. 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an example telescoping antenna. 
           [0020]      FIG. 17  is a chart of experimental data. 
           [0021]      FIG. 18  is a chart of experimental data. 
           [0022]      FIG. 19  is a chart of experimental data. 
           [0023]      FIG. 20  is a chart of experimental data. 
           [0024]      FIG. 21  is a chart of experimental data. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a hand held decanter,  100 , includes vessel  110  containing pressurized oxygen, oxygen enriched air, or air (hereafter “gas”). A dispenser device  120  is shown as being attached to the top end of the vessel  110  and able to selectively dispense contents of the vessel  110  through an adapter tube  130 , a second adapter tube  140 , and a fine bubble diffuser dispersion nozzle  150 . The second adapter tube  140  may be needed when the decanter is used with a beverage that is in a bottle. Dispenser  120  may attach to the vessel  110  by press fit through a frictional fit or machine threads to screw into the vessel  110 . An adapter tube  130  may connect to the dispenser  120  and a second adapter tube  140  by press fit through a frictional fit or machine threads to screw into dispenser  120  and adapter tube  140 . A second adapter tube  140 , if desired, may be attached by screw or frictional fit into an adapter tube  130  and a fine bubble diffuser  150 . The fine bubble diffuser or dispersion nozzle  150  may include one or more holes through which the contents in vessel  110  are directed into a liquid such as an opened glass or bottle of wine or spirits (not shown) or other non-alcoholic beverage. Nozzle cap  160  may snap or screw on to the fine bubble diffuser  150  to prevent dripping or leaking of wine or spirits or other beverages after usage. 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a hand held decanter  200  depicted includes vessel  210  containing gas. A dispenser device  220  is shown as being attached to the top end of the vessel  210  and able to control dispersion of the contents of the vessel  210  through an adapter tube  230 , and a dispersion nozzle  240 . Dispenser  220  attaches to the vessel  210  by press fit through a frictional fit or machine threads. An adapter tube  230  may be connected to a dispenser  220  and a dispersion nozzle, which may be a fine bubble diffuser  240  where a path of gas or fluid communication is established between vessel  210  and dispersion nozzle  240 . The dispersion nozzle  240  may include one or more holes  250  through which the contents of vessel  210  may be directed into a glass of wine or spirits, or other non-alcoholic beverage. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a hand held decanter  300  includes vessel  310  containing gas. A dispenser device  320  is shown as being attached to the top end of the vessel  310  and able to control passage of the contents from the vessel  310 . Dispenser  320  connects to the vessel  310  and establishes a pathway for contents to be released from vessel  310 . An adapter tube  330  connects to the dispenser  320  which in turn connects to the fine bubble diffuser  350 . The fine bubble diffuser dispersion nozzle  350  defines a path from a proximal end  360  of adapter tube  330  to a plurality of holes  370 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a commercial tap dispensing decanter  400  is depicted including a tank  410  containing gas. An on/off valve  420  is shown as being attached to the top of tank  410 . Tubing or hose  430  is shown connecting the on/off valve  420  to pressure regulators  440 , decanter dispensing tap housing  450 , and decanter dispensing tap handle  460 . Housing  450  is shown to enclose the adapter tube  470  and allow the system to sit out in the open for use in a commercial setting such as, but not limited to, a bar, tavern, or wine tasting room. A tap handle on/off valve  460  is shown penetrating the top of the housing  450 . When the tap handle  460  is turned to the “on” position, pressurized gas is delivered from the tank  410  through the adapter tube  470 , the diffuser nozzle  480  and preferably, into a liquid to be decanted. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a commercial tap dispensing decanter  500  is depicted including a housing  510  shown to enclose the adapter tube  530  and allow the system to sit out in the open for use in a commercial setting such as, but not limited to, a bar, tavern, or wine tasting room. A tap handle on/off valve  520  may be turned to the “on” position to provide gas into a beverage  560  such as wine or spirits through the adapter tube  530 , a second adapter tube  540  if necessary, and the diffuser nozzle  550 . 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 6   a , an exemplary decanter  600  including touchpad  610  is depicted. The touchpad  610  allows a user to program the length of time the gas is dispensed based on the volume to be oxygenated or decanted and the particular liquid to be decanted. When activated, the gas flows through an adapter tube  620  and into the liquid through nozzle  630 . 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 6   b , a simplified schematic diagram  640  for the touchpad unit  610  includes individual valves, V 1 , V 2 , and V 3  each controlled by an associated touchpad T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 , respectively. A common gas source S is connected to each valve V through a distribution manifold M in communication with a set of regulators R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 . D 1 , D 2 , and D 3  refer to the dispensers associated with each touchpad T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 , respectively. 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , a commercial decanter  700  depicted using exemplary “Loc-Line” type non-metallic adjustable tubes  710  to direct gas through a nozzle  720 . Other conduit or paths may be used to carry the gas from a source (not shown) to an end nozzle  720  without loss of functionality. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , a hand held decanter  800  is depicted with a programmable dispensing mechanism  810  wherein one can program a set amount of gas to be dispersed or a set amount of time for the gas to flow. This may also be accomplished through the use of a “metered valve,” operable to dispense a set amount of gas when the button is pressed as opposed to the alternate can that dispenses as long as the button is held down. The use of this type of metered valve dispenser can may be used in the other configurations without loss of functionality. Alternate or additional controls may be provided to vary the dispersion based on gas to be injected, vessel size to be decanted, or particular liquid to be decanted. The programmable dispensing mechanism  810  is attached to a vessel containing gas  820 . A finger trigger  830  activates the programmable dispensing mechanism  810 . When activated, gas flows from vessel  820 , through the dispensing mechanism  810 , through adapter tubing or hose  840  and out through a nozzle  850 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , a hand held metered distribution decanter  900  is shown with varying sizes of compact cartridges such as cartridge  910  shown in  FIG. 9   a  and a larger cartridge  920  shown in  FIG. 9   b  which can be inserted into or attached to the handle of the device  930 . The metered distribution decanter contains a duration regulator  940  which controls the volume of a gas, such as oxygen being delivered. A finger trigger  950  or other suitable user control may be used to activate the metered distribution decanter. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 10   a , an exploded view of hand held decanter  1000  may include a compact cartridge  1010  containing gas which fits inside an exterior housing  1020 . A dispensing device  1030  with male threads may be screwed onto the exterior housing  1020  female threads or vice versa. An adapter tube  1040  is shown exiting the dispensing device  1030  by a hinged connector  1050  which allows the adapter to swivel more or less than 90°. 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 10   b , a side, plan view of a hand held decanter  1000  is shown. The decanter  1000  includes housing  1020  containing a source of gas (not shown) both connected to dispensing device  1030 . Dispensing device  1030  includes a user activated press button  1060  or other mechanism to selectively permit gas to travel through angularly positionable adapter  1040 . The angle of rotation for the adapter  1040  is shown as a. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 10   c , a top view of a hand held decanter  1000  is shown including dispensing device  1030  and press button  1060 . 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , a hand held decanter  1100  may include a pressure pump vessel device  1110  with top  1120 . In one embodiment when the top  1120  is pumped up and down by hand, the vessel  1110  is pressurized with air. The air may be released by activating trigger  1130 . This embodiment allows maximization of air decanting by dispersing the air through the adapter tube  1140  and the fine bubble nozzle  1150  and exposing the air to a greater surface area of the wine or spirits or other beverage. 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 12 , a commercial tap dispensing decanter  1200  may include housing  1210 , an adapter tube  1220 , and a diffuser  1230 . A diaphragm or other air pump  1240  is shown as being electrically powered, but in an alternate embodiment, it may be battery operated. Air is pumped into the system by the air pump  1240  and a predetermined amount of air is directed into the liquid through the adapter tube  1220 , and the diffuser  1230  by selecting “on” on the on/off button  1250 . The volume of air released or the amount of time the air is released may be programmed using a timer button  1260  or other programmable mechanisms. 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 13 , a hand held decanter  1300  may include a vessel  1310  attached to a dispensing device with top cap components  1315  and  1320  and push button  1325 . By pushing press button  1325 , the gas contents of vessel  1310  may be dispensed through an adapter  1330  and out through a nozzle  1335  on its second, distal end. The adapter  1330  may be stored adjacent the body of vessel  1310  when not in use, but may rotate along its swivel wheel  1340  more or less than 90° when in use. A bottom cover  1345  may provide stability and include a compartment for collecting drops of liquid from the nozzle  1335  after use. 
         [0041]    With reference to  FIG. 14 , an exploded view of decanter  1400  may include a compact pressurized gas cartridge vessel  1410  supportedly surrounded by housing  1415 . The vessel  1410  contains substantially only pressurized gas. As used here, “substantially only” means the vessel  1410  containing a gas, with no or trace amounts only of other liquid or solid, and no additional mechanical components such as a dip tube or a ball bearing. Connected to the housing  1415  by press fit through a frictional fit or machine threads may be a dispensing device with top cap sections  1420  and  1425 , snap ring  1430 , and components making up a dispensing mechanism comprising a press button  1435 , air tube  1440  and swivel  1445  wherein the dispensing mechanism selectively releases contents of the vessel  1410  while preventing escape of the gas from the vessel  1410  when not in use. An adapter  1450  may have a first, proximal end and a second distal end with a path for fluid communication there between. The first, proximal end may be connected to the dispensing mechanism to selectively receive an amount of pressurized gas. A nozzle  1455  may be at a second, distal end and in fluid communication with the adapter  1450 . When the adapter  1450  is in a stored position, it may rest adjacent to the body of the housing  1415 . However when in use, the adapter may rotate along a swivel  1445  more or less than 90° relative to the housing  1415 . Bottom cover  1460  may also be used to improve stability when placed on a surface and to collect any remaining liquid that may drop from the nozzle after use. In use, push button  1435  is depressed causing vessel tube  1465  to be pushed down into the vessel  1410  forming a passageway allowing release of the gas through the dispensing mechanism and adapter  1450  and out through the nozzle  1455 . 
         [0042]    With reference to  FIG. 15 , a cross sectional view is shown for a hand held decanter  1500  which may include a pressurized gas cartridge vessel  1510  that is supportedly surrounded by housing  1515 . A dispensing device may include top cap section  1520 , snap ring  1525  and dispensing mechanism components such as press button  1530 , air tube  1535 , and swivel  1540 . An adapter  1545  with nozzle  1550  on its distal end is shown in its stored position alongside the housing  1515 . Bottom cover  1555  is also shown encircling the lower portion of the housing. As depicted, when the decanter  1500  is not in use, the press button  1530  is in a position slightly above the vessel  1510 , such that the vessel tube  1560  does not penetrate far enough into the vessel  1510  to form a path for fluid communication, thus preventing escape of the gas. However, in use, the adapter  1545  may be rotated away from the housing  1515  more or less than 90° along swivel  1540  so that nozzle  1550  may be placed into a glass of wine or other beverage. When the press button  1530  is depressed or activated, a portion of the button  1530  moves down into vessel tube  1560  pushing vessel tube  1560  further down into vessel  1510  forming a path for fluid communication, permitting release of the gas from the vessel  1510 , through the dispensing mechanism and adapter  1545 , and out through the nozzle  1550  into the wine or beverage. 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIG. 16 , a perspective view of a telescoping, antenna-type adapter  1600  may include a first, proximal end  1610  and a second, distal end  1620  with a path for fluid communication therebetween and may be composed of two or more telescoping tubes. The adapter  1600  may include a larger diameter tube  1630  that slidably disposed over and configured to receive a smaller diameter tube  1640 . The tubes may be retracted or extended depending on the length of the adapter desired. A nozzle  1650  may be connected to the distal end  1620  of the adapter  1600 . This telescoping adapter and nozzle may be substituted for any adapter and nozzle disclosed in this application without loss of functionality. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 17  and Table 1, preliminary comparison experiments were performed using a Milwaukee MI605 to measure dissolved oxygen content in three glasses of a 2008 Red Truck wine including a Control Glass, a glass decanted with a proto-type hand-held decanter, and a glass poured through a venturi-type decanting device such as that sold by Vinturi, Inc. under the name Vinturi. The “y” axis labeled “% Dissolved Oxygen” depicts the percent oxygen dissolved as measured by the MI605. The wine was directly poured out of a freshly uncorked bottle into a glass for the “Control Glass (G1)”. The second glass labeled “OxyVin (G2)” was also poured directly out of the same freshly uncorked bottle and decanted using the decanter with a vessel containing 95% oxygen enriched air. For a glass of wine, one application or use of the decanter included a 0.25-3.00 second exposure to the gas. The third glass labeled “Venturi Glass (G3)” was also poured directly out of the same freshly uncorked bottle directly through the venturi device into the glass. The data are shown below in Table 1 and the initial decanter data indicate that it is possible for dissolved oxygen content to be present in excess of 100% when in a supersaturated state.  FIG. 17  shows the decanter data  1700  with a very high level of dissolved oxygen initially and then slightly decreasing over time as the wine sits exposed to the atmosphere. Whereas, ambient air data  1710 , and Vinturi data  1720  both show initially lower dissolved oxygen concentrations, 23% and 41% respectively. The dissolved oxygen concentrations slightly increase over time with continued exposure to the atmosphere, but level out between 76%-79%. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Control 
                 OxyVin 
                 Venturi 
               
               
                   
                 Minutes 
                 Glass (G1) 
                 Glass (G2) 
                 Glass (G3) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 0 
                 23% 
                 103% 
                 41% 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 32% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 24 
                   
                 100% 
                   
               
               
                   
                 25 
                   
                   
                 41% 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 36% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 37 
                   
                  99% 
                   
               
               
                   
                 38 
                   
                   
                 46% 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 45% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 62 
                   
                  95% 
                   
               
               
                   
                 63 
                   
                   
                 55% 
               
               
                   
                 145 
                 70% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 148 
                   
                  93% 
                 74% 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                 76% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 183 
                   
                  90% 
                   
               
               
                   
                 184 
                   
                   
                 79% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0045]    With reference to  FIG. 18 , data was collected for a 2008 Harvest Moon Pinot Noir PRV wine. The data are shown below in Table 2 and as a graph at  FIG. 18  as percent dissolved oxygen as a function of time.  FIG. 18  shows the decanter data  1800 , again, with a very high level of dissolved oxygen initially and then slightly decreasing over time as the wine sits exposed to the atmosphere. Whereas the ambient air data  1810 , and the Vinturi data  1820  show initially low dissolved oxygen concentrations, 29.9% and 35.2% respectively. The dissolved oxygen concentrations slightly increase over time with continued exposure to the atmosphere, but peak at about 72.4%-74.2%. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Control 
                 OxyVin 
                 Venturi 
               
               
                   
                 Minutes 
                 Glass (G4) 
                 Glass (G5)  
                 Glass (G6) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 0 
                 29.7% 
                 93.1 % 
                 35.2% 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 36.7% 
                 91.7% 
                 39.5% 
               
               
                   
                 47 
                 37.2% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 50 
                   
                 87.5% 
                   
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 47.4% 
                   
                 48.6% 
               
               
                   
                 63 
                   
                 87.9% 
                   
               
               
                   
                 72 
                 52.2% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 74 
                   
                   
                 52.3% 
               
               
                   
                 75 
                   
                 87.8% 
                   
               
               
                   
                 92 
                 57.8% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 93 
                   
                   
                 57.8% 
               
               
                   
                 94 
                   
                   87% 
                   
               
               
                   
                 115 
                 63.1% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 116 
                   
                   
                 63.8% 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                   
                 87.3% 
                   
               
               
                   
                 152 
                 70.6% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 153 
                   
                   
                   70% 
               
               
                   
                 154 
                   
                 86.6% 
                   
               
               
                   
                 173 
                 74.2% 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 174 
                   
                   86% 
                 72.4% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0046]    With reference to  FIG. 19  and Tables 3a and 3b, ten varieties of wine from California, France and Italy were decanted using an exemplary decanter and compared to a control glass of the same wine that had not been decanted or exposed to anything other than ambient air. The wines used in the experiment were a California August Briggs 2007 Pinot Meunier (A), California Harvest Moon 2008 Randy Zinfandel (B), California Kokomo 2008 Pinot Noir (C), Italy Villa Cafaggio 1998 Cortaccio (D), Italy RuffinoRiservaDucale Oro 2004 Chianti Classico (E), Italy Palazzo Della Tone 2006 Veronese (F), California Retzlaff 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (G), California Benett Lane 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (H), France Domaine La Roquete 2006 Chateauneuf Du Pape (I), and a California Mum Napa 2007 Chardonnay (J). In reference to Tables 3a and 3b, CG refers to control glass and all of the concentration values are in percent. All the data, including data shown in Tables 1 and 2, indicate that the wine exposed to one application with the decanter have a dissolved oxygen concentration of between 92-133.7% immediately following treatment. As the treated wines sit out in the environment, the percent dissolved oxygen slowly decreases down to between 75-89% over a five hour period. Whereas the control glasses of wine start out with low concentrations of dissolved oxygen, between 23-39%, and slowly increase while sitting out in ambient air. The data indicate that it takes several hours before the dissolved oxygen concentration of the control glass wines approach dissolved oxygen levels between 70%-86%. This is further illustrated in  FIG. 19 , which is a graph of the data  1900  for control glass C with low initial dissolved oxygen concentration, 29.9%, that slowly increases to 86.5% after 310 minutes. For comparison, a graph of the data  1910  for the decanted wine has a 98% dissolved O 2  concentration immediately that slightly decreases to 89.8% after 322 minutes. The trend shown in  FIG. 19  is representative of all the data taken for the other nine wines, so individual graphs for each are not included. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3a 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Time 
                 CG 
                 OxyVin 
                 CG 
                 OxyVin 
                 CG 
                 OxyVin 
                 CG 
                 OxyVin 
                 CG 
                 OxyVin 
               
               
                 (minutes) 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 D 
                 D 
                 E 
                 E 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 39 
                   
                 33.7 
                   
                 29.9 
                   
                 34.1 
                   
                 38.9 
                   
               
               
                 13 
                   
                 93.4 
                   
                 123.9 
                   
                 98 
                   
                 92 
                   
                 133.7 
               
               
                 26 
                 42 
                   
                 40.6 
                   
                 39.6 
                   
                 37.3 
                   
                 41 
               
               
                 36 
                   
                 91.7 
                   
                 118.6 
                   
                 95 
                   
                 88.2 
                   
                 124.3 
               
               
                 63 
                 46.9 
                   
                 47.2 
                   
                 45 
                   
                 39.7 
                   
                 44.8 
               
               
                 75 
                   
                 87 
                   
                 114 
                   
                 96.1 
                   
                 84.1 
                   
                 111.9 
               
               
                 98 
                 53.4 
                   
                 54.5 
                   
                 54.1 
                   
                 41.3 
                   
                 52.2 
               
               
                 108 
                   
                 87 
                   
                 106.3 
                   
                 95.9 
                   
                 79.5 
                   
                 105 
               
               
                 135 
                 57.4 
                   
                 62.4 
                   
                 63.1 
                   
                 45.7 
                   
                 60.3 
               
               
                 148 
                   
                 85 
                   
                 100 
                   
                 94 
                   
                 77 
                   
                 98.2 
               
               
                 173 
                 63.4 
                   
                 69.5 
                   
                 70.4 
                   
                 53.8 
                   
                 67.3 
               
               
                 190 
                   
                 86.5 
                   
                 98.5 
                   
                 91.6 
                   
                 77 
                   
                 94.8 
               
               
                 242 
                 74.7 
                   
                 79.7 
                   
                 81.7 
                   
                 64.6 
                   
                 77.2 
               
               
                 253 
                   
                 89.3 
                   
                 96.3 
                   
                 92.6 
                   
                 77.4 
                   
                 90.4 
               
               
                 310 
                 81.6 
                   
                 85.5 
                   
                 86.5 
                   
                 70.9 
                   
                 80.6 
               
               
                 322 
                   
                 86.7 
                   
                 92.4 
                   
                 89.8 
                   
                 75.4 
                   
                 88.7 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3b 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Time 
                 CG 
                 OxyVin 
                 CG 
                 OxyVin 
                 CG 
                 OxyVin 
                 CG 
                 OxyVin 
                 CG 
                 OxyVin 
               
               
                 (minutes) 
                 F 
                 F 
                 G 
                 G 
                 H 
                 H 
                 I 
                 I 
                 J 
                 J 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 31.8 
                   
                 29.3 
                   
                 26.7 
                   
                 25.4 
                   
                 28.2 
                   
               
               
                 13 
                   
                 124.8 
                   
                 112.1 
                   
                 110.8 
                   
                 107.3 
                   
                 95.3 
               
               
                 26 
                 40.7 
                   
                 33.9 
                   
                 32.8 
                   
                 29.3 
                   
                 36.8 
               
               
                 36 
                   
                 117.2 
                   
                 105.3 
                   
                 105.1 
                   
                 99.7 
                   
                 89.7 
               
               
                 63 
                 46.7 
                   
                 40.3 
                   
                 39.8 
                   
                 35.9 
                   
                 43.1 
               
               
                 75 
                   
                 108.6 
                   
                 99.2 
                   
                 98.2 
                   
                 92.7 
                   
                 83.7 
               
               
                 98 
                 56.3 
                   
                 48.7 
                   
                 50.8 
                   
                 43.7 
                   
                 49.2 
               
               
                 108 
                   
                 102.2 
                   
                 96.5 
                   
                 95.1 
                   
                 90.1 
                   
                 83.9 
               
               
                 135 
                 63.7 
                   
                 58 
                   
                 58.9 
                   
                 53 
                   
                 59.2 
               
               
                 148 
                   
                 95.7 
                   
                 92.3 
                   
                 92.1 
                   
                 88.7 
                   
                 85.7 
               
               
                 173 
                 71.2 
                   
                 66.3 
                   
                 66.3 
                   
                 61.5 
                   
                 68.2 
               
               
                 190 
                   
                 94.4 
                   
                 91.7 
                   
                 89.7 
                   
                 89.5 
                   
                 88.1 
               
               
                 242 
                 77.6 
                   
                 76.2 
                   
                 76.5 
                   
                 73.1 
                   
                 79.9 
               
               
                 253 
                   
                 91.1 
                   
                 91.3 
                   
                 90.4 
                   
                 91.3 
                   
                 91.5 
               
               
                 310 
                 80 
                   
                 79.8 
                   
                 79.9 
                   
                 77.7 
                   
                 83.4 
               
               
                 322 
                   
                 88.5 
                   
                 88.9 
                   
                 87.4 
                   
                 88.3 
                   
                 89.8 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0047]    With reference to  FIG. 20  and Table 4, additional experimental results show the effort needed to reach relatively high levels of dissolved oxygen using just a venturi-type device. A single glass (G7) of 2008 Red Truck wine was repeatedly poured through a venturi device twelve times with the dissolved oxygen measured after each pour. As is apparent from Table 4, nine pours through the venturi-type device is required to achieve dissolved oxygen levels greater than 80%. This data is also illustrated as  2000  in  FIG. 20 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Venturi Glass  
                   
               
               
                   
                 G7 
                 % DO 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 x0 
                 23% 
               
               
                   
                 x1 
                 41% 
               
               
                   
                 x2 
                 45% 
               
               
                   
                 x3 
                 47% 
               
               
                   
                 x4 
                 49% 
               
               
                   
                 x5 
                 59% 
               
               
                   
                 x6 
                 67% 
               
               
                   
                 x7 
                 75% 
               
               
                   
                 x8 
                 79% 
               
               
                   
                 x9 
                 83% 
               
               
                   
                 x10  
                 84% 
               
               
                   
                 x11  
                 86% 
               
               
                   
                 x12  
                 88% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0048]    With reference to  FIG. 21 , a duration test was performed in which dissolved oxygen concentration over time in a control glass of wine is compared to dissolved oxygen concentration over time when infused with oxygen using a decanter for three different exposure durations. A bottle of Harvest Moon 2007 red blend Bordeaux style wine was opened and immediately poured into four different glasses. The first being the control glass (G1) in which no additional oxygen was added other than normal exposure to ambient air. The second glass (G2) was exposed to one short burst of oxygen with the decanter. The third glass (G3) and fourth glass (G4) were exposed to a 0.5 second burst of oxygen and a 1.0 second burst of oxygen from the decanter, respectively. The dissolved oxygen concentration was measured periodically over a two hour time period for all four glasses and the data are shown in Table 5 and  FIG. 21 . The initial dissolved oxygen concentration increases with increased O 2  infusion time. The wine exposed to a short burst (G2) from the decanter had 36.3% dissolved O 2 , wine sample (G3) had 66.3% dissolved O 2 , and a one second exposure (G4) yielded 101.4% dissolved oxygen. Even after two hours of exposure to ambient air, the control glass (G1) of wine does not reach the concentration of percent dissolved oxygen of any of the wines treated with the decanter. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Time  
                 Control Glass 
                 Short burst of O 2   
                 0.5 sec O 2   
                 1 sec of O 2   
               
               
                 (seconds) 
                 (G1) 
                 (G2) 
                 (G3) 
                 (G4) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 22.4% 
                 36.3% 
                 66.3% 
                 101.4%  
               
               
                 20 
                 34.4% 
                 46.8% 
                 71.8% 
                 99.9% 
               
               
                 42 
                 45.1% 
                   57% 
                 75.7% 
                 98.5% 
               
               
                 60 
                 52.9% 
                 63.6% 
                 80.5% 
                   98% 
               
               
                 83 
                 63.2% 
                   71% 
                 83.6% 
                 97.7% 
               
               
                 102 
                 69.4% 
                 75.3% 
                 86.1% 
                 96.4% 
               
               
                 117 
                 74.2% 
                 80.3% 
                 88.1% 
                 96.4% 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0049]    While the systems, methods, and so on have been illustrated by describing examples, and while the examples have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the systems, methods, and so on provided herein. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, while certain of the devices depicted and described herein employ pressurized oxygen, oxygen enriched air, air or a diaphragm or other air pump, the gas source may alternately include an oxygen generating or distributing device such as an oxygen generator or oxygen concentrator without loss of functionality. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicants&#39; general inventive concept. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0050]    As used herein, “connection” or “connected” means both directly, that is, without other intervening elements or components, and indirectly, that is, with another component or components arranged between the items identified or described as being connected. To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both”. When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when the applicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, the applicants will employ the phrase “one and only one”. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995).

Technology Classification (CPC): 1