Patent Abstract:
An apparatus for storing and dispensing wine comprises a housing formed substantially in the shape of a wine barrel. The housing including a circumferential wall, a first closed end and a second open end. A spigot for selectively dispensing wine is supported by and positioned through the first closed end of the housing. A removable insert disposable within the housing through the second open end contains a collapsible bladder of wine. A wine dispensing port is contained within the bladder and insert. With the insert positioned within the housing, the port is positioned proximate the second open end thereof. A conduit in fluid communication with the spigot extends from the first closed end toward the second open end. Upon disposing the insert within the housing, the conduit is connectable to the port wherein the wine can be selectively dispensed from the spigot.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    The present application claims a benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/366,877 filed on Jul. 22, 2010, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to wine storage devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and dispensing wine from collapsible, reusable containers. 
         [0003]    For many years, wine has remained one of the most popular drinks to accompany a meal, and as such, is made available not only at home, but at a vast number of restaurants. It is therefore important for a restaurant to keep in stock ample quantities of wine to meet the demand of its customers. However, as wine has historically been stored within glass 750-mL bottles, not only are there increased shipping costs associated with the use of glass bottles, but stocking a restaurant with such wine requires certain space requirements. Alternatively, certain types of wine have been made available by means of portable fluid containers, for example flexible 3- to 10-liter bladders of wine contained within a cardboard box, sometimes referred to as “wine-in-a-box” or simply “box wine”. While such containers cut down on shipping costs, there are still storage considerations to take into account, as well as other inherent setbacks. For instance, as the box itself must be placed within a refrigeration unit to keep the wine chilled, the refrigeration space required for the box must be considered. Further, and regardless if a bottle or portable fluid bladder is used, once opened, the shelf-life of the wine decreases rapidly due to oxidation. While bottles of wine typically have to be consumed within a day or so, “wine-in-a-box” products currently available typically last only about a week. More importantly, though, as wine is considered by many to be a premium product, “wine-in-a-box” does not do well from a marketing standpoint as it has been perceived by the purchasing public to be an inferior product or inferior means of storage as opposed to glass bottles. For this reason alone, many vintners have avoided providing wines in this fashion, preferring instead to stick with glass bottles. 
         [0004]    There exist in the art several examples of devices which have attempted to provide a means for storing box wine in an aesthetically pleasing manner. However, limitations exist in such examples as conventional devices have been shown to be quite difficult to change between spent wine bladders and new ones. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,705 requires that a front end housing containing a dispensing spout be removed before a spent bladder of wine can be replaced with a full bladder of wine. It has been shown in the field that this mechanism is difficult to employ. 
         [0005]    Currently, there exists a need in the art to provide an aesthetically pleasing wine dispensing mechanism for use in conjunction with reusable bladders of wine which provides a quick, easy and efficient means of changing between spent and full bladders. There also exists a need in the art to provide a wine dispensing mechanism which assists in preserving unused quantities of wine after opening longer than what is currently available. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided for refrigerating and dispensing pre-packaged wine. The apparatus includes a housing formed substantially in the shape of an aesthetically pleasing miniature wine barrel which holds a removable insert containing between approximately 3 and 10 liters of wine within a collapsible bladder. The housing includes a first circumferential wall, a front face and removable rear panel. A spigot for selectively dispensing the wine is supported by and positioned through the front face. The insert is disposable within the housing through the rear portion with the panel removed. A telescoping conduit in fluid communication with the spigot extends from the front face of the housing to the rear thereof for connection with the insert proximate the rear of the housing. The conduit is positionable between a first retracted position and a second extended position, which facilitates in connecting the bladder thereto. 
         [0007]    In replacing a spent bladder, the user removes the rear cover and pulls the insert out slightly such that the connection between the conduit and the insert is easily accessible to the user. This extends the conduit from the first retracted position to the second extended position. The user can then disconnect the spent insert from the conduit, fully remove the spent insert, which can then be replaced by a full insert. The full insert is connected to the conduit and then fully positioned within the housing, which positions the telescoping conduit from the second extended position to the first retracted position. The panel can then be replaced and the apparatus is ready to again dispense wine. 
         [0008]    To optionally cool the wine, an electric heat pump extends through an aperture contained within a bottom portion of the housing. The heat pump is capable of expelling thermal energy contained within the housing to keep the wine cool relative to a higher ambient temperature. To facilitate in the cooling of the wine, a thermally conductive shroud is provided which is supported by a thermal conductive block in communication with the heat pump. The shroud is configured to receive and support the insert. Both the shroud and the insert have an angled floor which permits the wine to be gravitationally urged toward the rear of the housing where the conduit fluidly connects to the bladder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The following figures are used herein in conjunction with the specification to assist in understanding the invention. The Figures are as follows: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wine storage and dispensing apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side-view of the wine storage and dispensing apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the wine storage and dispensing apparatus as taken along lines A-A in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the wine storage and dispensing apparatus as taken along lines B-B in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the wine storage and dispensing apparatus of the present invention with an insert partially removed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side-view of the wine storage and dispensing apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a dispensing system in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a telescoping conduit in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a reusable container in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a side profile view of the reusable container in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the first and second embodiments of the wine dispensing apparatuses of the present invention supported by a rotatable stand. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    A wine storage and dispensing apparatus of the present invention is generally indicated at  100  in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . The apparatus  100  includes a housing structure  102 , preferably an aesthetically shaped miniature wooden wine barrel, for placement on or near a bar in areas where wine would normally be dispensed. However, it should be noted that alternative shapes for the housing structure are well within the scope of the present invention, including non-exhaustive examples of semi-circular barrels with flat bottoms, rectangular boxes or the like. The wine barrel  102  includes a front face  104  which supports a spout or spigot  106  for selectively dispensing wine. A removable back panel  108  attaches to the wine barrel  102  by means of a latching mechanism  110 . The specific latching mechanism  110  employed is not critical in practicing the invention, and those skilled in the art will recognize that other mechanisms than those illustrated will suffice. 
         [0022]    The apparatus  100  further includes an optional thermoelectric heat pump  112  for cooling wine contained within the barrel  102 . The thermoelectric heat pump  112  for use with the present invention includes a solid-state active heat pump which transfers heat from one side  114  of the device to the other side  116  against a temperature gradient with the consumption of electrical energy. A heat sink  117  effectuates dissipation of heat into the air. As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 5 , the thermoelectric heat pump  112  is positionable through an aperture  118  contained in an under portion of the housing. As it is contemplated that in most situations the a ambient temperature of the room or restaurant where the apparatus  100  will be dispensing wine will be greater than optimal wine dispensing temperatures of between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the heating portion  116  of the thermoelectric cooler seats outside of the barrel  102 , enabling any generated heat to dissipate into the outside air. Attached to the cooling side  114  of the heat pump is a thermally conductive block  120 , preferably constructed of a metallic material such as aluminum. However, any material having a thermal conductivity greater than about 100 watts per meter Kelvin (W/(m*K)) is well within the scope of the present invention. The thermoelectric heat pump  112  further includes a control unit and electric transformer (not shown) for activating and controlling the temperature of the block  120  and shroud  122 , which in turn controls the temperature of the wine. Exemplary thermoelectric heat pumps  112  for use with the present invention include those as made available by Pacific Supercool, Ltd. of Bangkok, Thailand or SOS Prescott of Prescott, Wis. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the use of similar thermoelectric heat pumps by other manufacturers are well within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0023]    To increase the efficiency and the consistency of the manner in which heat is conducted out of the wine barrel  102 , and to provide for a more consistent temperature therein, the metallic shroud  122  is provided. The shroud  122  seats upon and engages the conductive block  120 . The metallic shroud includes a base plate  124  attached to the conductive block  120 , as well as a semi-circular wall  126  extending along longitudinal edges of the base plate  124 . Insulation  125  may be provided between the shroud  122  and the inner wall  128  of the barrel. Further, thermal electric compound  127 , such as thermal grease, may be optionally included between the conductive block  120  and the inner wall  128 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The shroud  122  is designed to support a removable plastic insert  130  containing a collapsible bladder  132  of wine. 
         [0024]    As mentioned, use of the thermoelectric heat pump  112  is optional and the present invention can be practiced without such a device, as is illustrated in alternative embodiment  200  in  FIG. 6 . However, for purposes of this description, similar parts from apparatus  100  and alternative apparatus  200  will be given similar references, and any differences between the two embodiments will be explicitly stated. As such, unless otherwise noted, description of one is meant to include description of the other for similar parts and operation. 
         [0025]    To transfer the wine contained within the bladder  132  positioned within the insert  130 , a liquid transfer mechanism  134  is provided. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the liquid transfer mechanism  134  includes the spigot  106  in fluid communication with a telescoping conduit  136 , which in turn fluidly connects to a quick connector  138 . The spigot  106 , as made available by Artisan Barrels of Oakland, Calif., threadably attaches to a first segment  140  of the telescoping conduit  136 , wherein a seal is formed by means of a washer  141 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the telescoping conduit includes the first segment  140  into which slidably disposes a second segment  142 , as denoted by arrow  143 . The second segment  142  is therefore of a lesser diameter than the first segment  140 . Both the first segment  140  and the second segment  142  are preferably constructed of a rigid material, for example stainless steel. The second segment  142  is slidably positionable relative to the first segment  140  to increase or decrease the overall length of the telescoping conduit  136 , the importance of which will become apparent shortly. In order to prevent leakage of liquid when passing therethrough, and to prevent the intrusion of any unwanted material therein, the second segment  142  includes a flange  144  extending circumferentially and slidably engaging an inner surface  146  of the first segment  140 . Additionally, an O-ring  148  is positionable within a groove contained in the first segment  140 . The O-ring  148  abuts against an outer surface  150  of the second segment  142 , which further enhances the seal between the first segment  140  and the second segment  142 . 
         [0026]    The quick connect  138  is preferably a VITOP® BAG-IN-BOX® quick connect as made available by the Smurfit Kappa Group of Eperny, France. The quick connect  138  includes a male and female connector,  152  and  154  respectively. The female connector  154  connects to the second segment  142  by means of a flexible length of tubing  156 . The tubing  156  is preferably anti-microbial to prevent the intrusion of micro-organisms into the wine which can lead to the spoilage thereof. The male connector  152  attaches to the bladder  132  and seats within an aperture  158  contained within the insert  130 . The telescoping conduit  136 , as well as the connecting tube  156  and a portion of the quick connect  138 , is disposable within a circular channel  160  contained within the conducting block  120  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the removable insert  130  is constructed from plastic and includes a substantially flat rectangular floor  162  containing the circular aperture  158  for receiving the male connector  152 . A semi-circular wall  164  extends from opposing longitudinal sides of the bottom  162 . The semi-circular wall  164  and bottom  162  are joined on a first end by an end-wall  166 . A removable cap  168  is securable to a second end portion of the bottom  162  and semi-circular wall  164 . The insert  130  houses the collapsible bladder  132  which is fillable with liquid, which in this case includes wine. The male connector  152  fluidly communicates with the bladder  132  and provides the wine to the liquid transfer mechanism  134  when connected thereto. Both the end wall  166  and removable cap  168  include a semi-circular design with a bottom flat portion such that the insert conforms to the shape of the barrel  102  and is disposable within the shroud  122 . In order to facilitate gravitational draining of the bladder contents during use, the cap  168  includes a larger circular radius x than a circular radius of the end-wall y, giving the semi-circular wall  164  a frusto-conical configuration. With the end-wall  166  and cap  168  being positioned substantially parallel to one another, the floor  162  therefore is positioned at a declining angle from the end-wall  166  as the floor  162  proceeds towards the cap  168  relative to the top of the semi-circular wall  164 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . As the shroud  122  is configured to receive the insert  130 , it should be understood that the base plate  124  also includes a corresponding declination. 
         [0028]    As is known in the art, the bladder  132  may is constructed of a flexible material such that it may collapse upon itself when the contents therein are drained. Such materials can include metallic sheeting or plastic formed to provide a hermetically sealed interior. To fill the bladder  132 , all air is first evacuated after which the wine is introduced therein. Upon being filled, the bladder  132  is injected with an overpressure of an inert gas, such as Argon, to prevent oxygenation of the wine and thereby extend shelf life. Further, by filling the bladder  132  with an inert gas, it has been discovered that the wine can remain unspoiled after opening for a much longer time than is observed within conventional wine-in-a-box methods. Instead of less than two weeks, which is typical for a conventional device, the wind dispensing apparatus  100  of the present invention can prevent oxygenation and spoiling of the wine after opening for up to eight weeks. 
         [0029]    It is intended that either the vintner or the wine wholesaler fills the bladders  132  with wine, along with the overpressure of inert gas prior to sealing the bladder  132  within the insert  130 . The insert  130  thereby provides a protecting structure to prevent the bladder  132  from being punctured during transit or use. The vintner or wholesaler then ships the insert, or a plurality of inserts, directly to the restaurant when they can be stored until needed for dispensing. 
         [0030]    In operation, the apparatus  100  or  200  containing an insert with wine contained therein is positioned within a restaurant, home or other suitable place where it is convenient to dispense the wine into individual glasses when so desired. Upon depleting the contents of a bladder  132 , whereby the wine insert needs to be replenished, the back cover  108  of the housing  102  is removed. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the user pulls the insert  130  partially from the shroud  122 , causing the second segment  142  of the telescoping conduit to withdraw from the first segment  140  and allowing the user access to the quick connector  138 . The user then removes the male connector  152  from the female connector  154 , whereby the insert  130  is fully removable from the shroud  122  and the housing  102 . A new insert containing a full bladder of wine is then partially disposed within the barrel and the shroud. The male connector  152 , which comes already connected to the bladder  132 , is then attached to the female connector  154  and the insert  130  is pushed fully within the shroud  122  with the telescoping conduit  136  decreasing in overall length. The back cover  108  is replaced and the apparatus  100  or  200  is again ready to dispense the wine through the spigot  106 . Upon activating the thermoelectric heat pump  112 , the wine within the insert  130  is storable at a constant temperature for up to 8 weeks. 
         [0031]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it permits ease of operation in an aesthetically pleasing manner without undue hardship in exchanging inserts. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , apparatus  100 , apparatus  200 , or both, can be positioned on a rotatable stand  180 , which in turn can be set up on a table, bar top or other suitable location. The stand may include a rotatable base  182 , which when the wine in the bladder goes empty, can simply be rotated around to give a person access to the rear of the housing without having to lift and move the housing itself. A depleted insert can be exchanged with a full insert in the manner as previously described, whereafter the stand can be rotated back to its desired position. 
         [0032]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5