Abstract:
The present invention, a volumetric displacement dispenser comprising a cap assembly, which further comprises a air pump/air vent assembly in communication with a volumetric displacement device; a liquid dispensing valve having an outlet connected to a spigot and inlet connected to a liquid discharge tube, which is in contact with the dispensable liquid; and a ported stopper whereby the liquid discharge tube and the volumetric displacement dispenser device are maintained in isolated contact with the dispensable liquid. The fluid in the container, once opened, is sealed with the volumetric displacement dispenser wherein the bulk of the atmosphere over the fluid is evacuated as the volumetric displacement dispenser device is inflated by atmospheric air. A small volume of liquid serves to seal the outlet check valve assembly closed. This serves to create a vacuum effect within the container, so that upon dispensing the liquid, a vacuum is applied to the liquid side of the volumetric displacement dispenser device, which causes it to expand, drawing air into its internal volume in an effort to maintain equilibrium with the atmospheric pressure. As a function of this expansion, air is excluded from the container thereby protecting the contents from oxidation.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/647,610, filed on Jan. 27, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention specifically relates to a volumetric displacement dispenser to provide the individual user the capability of dispensing a given quantity of wine or other beverage and allowing the storage of the beverage over an extended period of time through the exclusion of air; thus reducing degradation of the container contents whereby the desirable characteristics of the beverage are preserved in their original state. The volumetric displacement dispenser comprises an air pump, check valves and an expandable polymer operative balloon of sufficient gauge and material whereby the balloon expands easily to fill a void occasioned by removal of wine from the wine container. The air pump in cooperation with the check valves operates to expand the operative balloon to dispense wine from the container by pressure of the expanded operative balloon.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     An effective means for preserving wines and other beverages, once they have been initially decanted, has long been a problematic issue that has confronted the consumer of these commodities. Due to the broad spectrum of liquid commodities negatively impacted by prolonged exposure to air, the discussion of the related art centers about the preservation of wine.  
         [0006]     Wine has long been recognized as a valued commodity that has transcended ancient times to present. Due to the chemical composition of wine, it is especially susceptible to degradation via oxidation processes that pose the risk of spoiling the flavor and bouquet in the short term and converting it to a less desirable product, vinegar in the long term. Through the ages, there have been various attempts to develop an acceptable solution to this dilemma, wherein the preservation of foodstuffs was essential to trade and commerce, and daily aspects of life in ancient civilization. This point was further exacerbated given the fact that few control means existed to mitigate the degradation of wine from the extremes of environment. The most popular means of preserving wines was by limiting exposure to air (corking) and the addition of stones or oil and storing the wine in a cool area where exposure to sunlight was limited. In each of these methods, the container contained excess air and did not preserve the quality of the wine. Moreover, diffusion of air through the cork plays a role in the aging of the wine. A balance is required between amount of air required in the aging process and excess air beyond that required in aging. Advances as using wax to prevent entrance of air through the voids of the cork improved the sealing properties of corking. However, without removal of air in void space above the wine&#39;s surface, the wine was still subject to degradation. Stones or oil were introduced into the container to displace the air by displacement of the void volume. But each volume displacement method introduced new contaminants, (dirt, oil, bacteria, etc.) to the wine, which impaired the quality of the stored wine. Also, volume replacement by stones, glass or other solid media increased weight of the container, creating transportation problems. This method moreover served to negatively impact taste and body of the wine as bacteria and contaminants, which reacted with the wine, were introduced to the wine by the volume replacement objects. The use of oil as a volume replacement means served only slightly better as increased difficulty in decanting the wine had to be addressed. The need to completely extract the contents of the container required specialized extraction means as siphoning or use of unique containers to prevent the oil from being decanted with the wine. Another problem was that trace amounts of the oil were incorporated into the wine causing an oily taste and sometimes affecting the bouquet. The use of oils having relatively high paraffin contents and waxes solved some of the issues of separation. But, issues with decanting and contaminants still persisted.  
         [0007]     A search for practical means of solving these issues has spawned a number of approaches. Some solutions relied on void volume reduction or sealing technology and means for introducing an inert gas to displace the air in the void space and removal of air by creating a vacuum.  
         [0008]     Systems that use an inert gas are represented by Ellis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,711 wherein the wine dispenser utilizes a piercing means blanketed by an inert gas to avoid introduction of oxygen; thus, preserving the wine in its original state. This approach is both expensive and cumbersome to use, as the individual user expends additional effort in installing the dispenser on an uncorked bottle of wine. The installation is performed under pressure of the inert gas to prevent entrance of air. This can be a potential risk for the individual user, as the cork may be suddenly expelled and the contents discharged. It is noted that the Ellis &#39;711 invention is limited to corked bottles and teaches no preservation technique for previously uncorked wines.  
         [0009]     Sitton U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,680 discloses preservation of a dispensed wine product by introducing the wine bottle and the remaining contents into a sealed container, wherein an inert gas such as nitrogen at a pressure exceeding 20 psig is introduced to purge the oxygen from the container. The container is then refrigerated and the contents of the bottle are withdrawn under pressure. This affords the user the possibility of preserving the wine for up to four to six weeks and preventing further aging of the wine. The Sitton &#39;680 patent teaches use of a sealed container for the wine container and inert gas. This system though effective does not readily lend itself to those occasions when a consumer entertains a small party and it would be desirable to decant the wine by hand from the container.  
         [0010]     Another popular methodology that has been employed has been the use of the beverage in a bag. U.S. Pat. No. 3,365,202 teaches application of pressure to a flexible bag containing a liquid to dispense the liquid contained therein. Although this patent teaches decanting the liquid within the bag through a decrease in volume obtained through external force, this patent does not address the problem of air entrance into the previously decanted liquid container.  
         [0011]     Several patents attempt to solve this problem by inserting an inert gas through the cork stopper and extracting the wine without removing the cork. U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,043 to Lane and U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,971 to Haydon disclose devices utilizing a hollow needle inserted through the bottle cork to withdraw the wine and to introduce an inert gas into the void space above the wine. However, the insertion of the hollow needle through the bottle cork can introduce air into the void space above the wine level and cause deterioration of the contained wine. Also, as Sutton &#39;680 teaches, as most beverages and wines are stored in glass containers, the amount of pressure that can be applied to the container is limited.  
         [0012]     Another attempt at preservation extensively employed by many consumers of wines has been the use of devices to draw the air out of a bottle subsequent to re-corking the bottle. However, the success of this system has been variable, as a number of physical parameters limit the effectiveness of this technique. These parameters are the ability to induce a sufficient vacuum to reduce the volume of air in the bottle, the ability to maintain a vacuum once achieved and the ability to indicate when the required vacuum has been obtained. As these devices rely on the penetration of the stopper, even given the compressive qualities of corks, rubber and other materials used as stoppers, it is difficult to maintain a required vacuum for any length of time. Further, since wines are slowly aged in their bottles through the diffusion of oxygen through corks, changing the parameters of the cork would tend to shift the diffusion dynamics toward oxidation of the wine. Another shortcoming of this approach is the failure to foresee the trend of winemakers away from cork and toward plastic lined metal screw caps, which will not work with these systems.  
         [0013]     Given the shortcomings and disadvantages of existing approaches to preserving wines and other dispensable liquids impacted by the effects of oxygen, an affordable and convenient means is desirable to preserve the quality of once-opened containers of wine from the harmful effects of ambient atmosphere. The invented device and method provides a means to preserve the quality and bouquet of a wine and prevent further aging of the wine by minimizing introduction of air into the wine container and causing an occupation of the void space within the container by an expandable displacement dispenser that serves to protect the contained wine from contact with the ambient atmosphere.  
         [0014]     It is according an object of this invention to provide a wine preservation and dispensing system for bottled wine to allow wine to be dispensed from the bottle by the glass while protecting the wine in the bottle from the harmful effects of being exposed to the ambient air.  
         [0015]     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a bottle cap assembly comprising (a) an air pump or a source of compressed gas, (b) air and liquid check valves, (c) an operative expandable polymer balloon, (d) a liquid discharge tube, (e) a casing for the operative expandable polymer balloon, and (f) a separate cap for the bottle cap assembly, associated tubing, retaining clips and connectors which, in combination, operate as a volumetric displacement dispenser of wine from a bottled container of wine.  
         [0016]     It is another object of this invention to provide a dispenser for wine bottles, which provides a volumetric displacement balloon of sufficient flexibility to occupy the void space within a wine container caused by removal of decanted wine, which balloon is caused to expand by suction from the removal of wine from the container and the atmosphere air pressure which enters into the balloon through the bottle cap assembly.  
         [0017]     It is another object of this invention to provide an alternative source of compressed gas versus an air pump to cause the operative balloon to expand to occupy the void space in a wine container between the liquid and the container.  
         [0018]     It is another object of this invention to provide a method for insertion of the volumetric displacement dispenser into a wine bottle while protecting contents of the bottle from ambient air.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     This invention relates to a device and method for dispensing a beverage from a bottle container and preserving the contents from the harmful effects of air upon the contents of the bottle. The device is specifically termed a volumetric displacement dispenser. The volumetric displacement dispenser is utilized in lieu of a cork or other closure for a container so as to preserve dispensable liquids, wines or other perishable commodities, wherein the liquids have a prolonged shelf life as the deleterious effects of oxygen are mitigated. The use of the volumetric displacement dispenser comprising check valves, loop seals and an expanding operative balloon allows the individual user to readily dispense the liquid contained within the container without need to recork, purging the container of air, or evacuating the atmospheric contents of the container as a function of dispensing the liquid. Recognizing the need for convenience and ease of use, the volumetric displacement dispenser operative balloon operates at atmospheric pressure. The check valves and loop seal permit liquids or gases to flow only in one direction and thus prevent loss of pressure on liquids or gases. Only a minimum of applied pump pressure is applied to insure that the volumetric displacement dispenser operative balloon obtains initial contact with the surface of the fluid therein. This serves to purge a small volume of the dispensable liquid to insure a liquid full system. Thereafter, whenever the liquid dispensing valve is opened and the fluid is decanted, atmospheric air is drawn into the volumetric displacement operative balloon by extraction of wine from the container. The volumetric displacement operative balloon is sufficiently flexible to occupy the void caused by the removal of the decanted wine. As air fills the volumetric displacement operative balloon, the space within the container is filled and entrance of oxygen restricted. Transparent tubing in the cap assembly can provide visual confirmation to the user that the system is liquid full.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein an air pump is affixed to an air inlet in the cap assembly to pump air into the volume displacement dispenser operative balloon and an air/gas check valve is operable in the air/gas pressure tube to the operative balloon and a check valve is operable in the liquid discharge tube.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2A  illustrates the details of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention of  FIG. 1  wherein the liquid discharge tube uses a loop seal in place of a check valve.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the instant invention wherein an external source of a compressed gas is applied to pressure the operative balloon to expand.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates the details of the embodiment of the cap of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates the further details of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the Figures illustrate two embodiments of the volumetric displacement dispenser device comprising a flexible inflatable operative balloon and means permitting liquids and gases to flow only in one direction.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2A , volumetric displacement dispenser  10  is illustrated as inserted in a bottle  50  by ported stopper  600  wherein components of said dispenser  10  comprise a cap assembly  100 . Cap assembly  100  comprises cap-air pump  105  with one aperture on the top surface for air pump piston shaft  150  and further comprises air pump/air vent assembly  120  connected to air/gas pressure tube  500  with air/gas check valve  140  inserted therein. Cap assembly  100  further comprises a liquid discharge tube  400  wherein liquid check valve  250  is inserted therein. Volumetric displacement device casing  320  is retained by retaining clip  310  on air/gas pressure tube  500 . Volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  is also connected to air/gas pressure tube  500  by retaining clip  310 . Air pump piston shaft  150  comprising an air pump means is positioned on piston  126  of air pump/air vent assembly  120  to pump air into volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  as required.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the details of the embodiment of cap assembly  100  of  FIG. 1  are illustrated. Air pump/air vent body  122  contains air pump piston shaft  150  positioned on air pump/air vent assembly  120 , which comprises piston  126  and piston spring  128 . Air/gas check valve  140  containing air check valve flapper  142  is interposed between air pump/air vent assembly  120  and air/gas pressure tube  500  to prevent backflow and to control air injected into volumetric displacement device operative balloon by operation of air pump/air vent assembly  120 . Retainer  124  seats air pump piston shaft  150  on air pump/air vent assembly  120 . Inlet air connector  132  secures pressure tube inlet  510  to air/gas pressure tube  500 . Liquid discharge tube  400  with perforations and air/gas pressure tube  500  are inserted through fitted bores in ported stopper  600 . Discharge tube connector  232  secures liquid discharge tube  400  to liquid check valve  250  comprising liquid check valve seat  252  to liquid spigot  210 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the volumetric displacement dispenser of  FIG. 1  wherein a loop seal  254  is used in liquid discharge tube  400  instead of liquid check valve  250  and liquid check valve seat  252  as in  FIG. 2A . All other details are as illustrated in  FIG. 2A .  
         [0030]      FIGS. 3-5  illustrate an alternative embodiment of volumetric displacement dispenser  10  inserted in bottle  50  by ported stopper  600  wherein an external inert gas under pressure supplies pressurized gas to volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  through pressure tube inlet  510  and retainer  124  to volumetric displacement operative balloon  300 . Volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  is positioned on air/gas pressure tube  500  by retaining clip  310 , which also retains volumetric displacement device casing  320  which encompasses operative balloon  300  to insert operative balloon  300  into bottle  50 . Cap-external gas  110  of the alternative embodiment has two apertures, one on the top surface for pressure tube inlet  510  and one on the side surface for dispensing liquid outlet  220 . Liquid outlet  220  dispenses liquid as per dispensing valve operator  230  by liquid dispensing valve  200  by liquid spigot  210  attached thereto.  
         [0031]     The expandable operative balloon  300  is essential for application of the volumetric displacement dispenser device. As an operative element of the volumetric displacement dispenser device, the expandable volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  is essential for the physical operation of the volumetric displacement dispenser device and performs the necessary operation for the device to fill the void occasioned by removal of wine from the wine container. The expansion of the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  under pressure also operates to pressure the dispensing of wine from the container.  
         [0032]     Air/gas check valve  140 , liquid check valve  250  and loop seal  254  in liquid discharge tube  400  are essential for operation of the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300 . As operative elements, the check valves and loop seal are essential for the physical operation of the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  by controlling and preventing backflow of gases and liquids to control flow of respective gases and liquids.  
         [0033]     Further referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the figures illustrate preferred embodiments of a volumetric displacement dispenser in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , two embodiments of a volumetric displacement dispenser are generally shown at  10 . In  FIG. 1 , volumetric displacement dispenser  10  comprises cap  105  of cap assembly  100  for a first embodiment, and an alternative cap-external gas  110  for a second embodiment in  FIG. 3 . Cap assembly  100  ( FIG. 1 ) further comprises air pump/air vent assembly  120  connected to air pump/air vent body  122  ( FIG. 2A ) of pressure tube inlet  510 , which is subsequently routed through a fitted bore in ported stopper  600  ( FIGS. 2A-2B ) by air/gas pressure tube  500  ( FIGS. 1-5 ) and connected to volumetric displacement device operative balloon  300  ( FIG. 1 ) by upper retaining clip  310  ( FIG. 4 ). Retaining clip  310  also retains volumetric displacement device casing  320  in position encompassing operative balloon  300 .  
         [0035]     The cap-external gas  110  of alternative embodiment ( FIGS. 3-5 ) comprises pressure tube inlet  510 , has liquid dispensing valve  200 , dispensing valve operator  230  ( FIGS. 4, 5 ), liquid spigot  210  ( FIGS. 4-5 ) and dispensing liquid outlet  220  ( FIGS. 4-5 ) connected to liquid discharge tube  400 , which is subsequently routed through a fitted bore in ported stopper  600  ( FIGS. 3-5 ) wherein liquid discharge tube  400  ( FIG. 3 ) extends into the bottle  50  in contact with the vessel&#39;s contents.  
         [0036]     In operation, volumetric displacement dispenser  10  is placed into a bottle  50 . The ported stopper  600  ( FIGS. 1-5 ) is securely seated to provide an air tight and air-pressure tight seal within the neck of the bottle  50 , wherein cap assembly  100  and cap with cap  105  and cap-external gas  110  cover the outer surface of the neck of the bottle  50 .  
         [0037]     The volumetric displacement dispenser  10  may be inserted into any vessel or container, irrespective of the configuration wherein evacuation of air or maintenance of an inert environment is desirable for the preservation of the fluids contained therein. In preferred embodiments, cap assembly  100  with cap  105  and cap-external gas  110  may have an outer flexible sealing ring about the base of cap assembly  100  with cap  105  and cap-external gas  110  to engage the outer surface of the neck of the bottle  50  thereby forming a seal to prevent contaminants from entering the bottle  50  or the internals of cap assembly  100  with cap  105  and cap-external gas  110 . The outer sealing ring may be comprised of any polymeric, elastomer material including but not limited to rubber, plastic, copolymer compounds or cork. In another embodiment, the outer sealing ring may be an integral element of the cap assembly.  
         [0038]     The volumetric displacement dispenser  10  construction material can be selected from a group consisting of polymers, polymer alloys, non-ferrous metals, ferrous metals, carbon fiber, carbon powder, silicone polymers, elastomers, glass, ceramics and combinations thereof. The tubing can be transparent to allow visual confirmation of the operation of the device. When indicated use of the volumetric displacement dispenser  10  is for food or sanitary usage, compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations regarding the selected materials of construction is necessary. The volumetric displacement dispenser may be manufactured by any technique recognized in the Mechanical Arts but not limited to molding, casting, forging, sintering, spinning, polishing, plating and any combinations thereof which are capable of yielding a finished product satisfying regulatory guidelines governing the use of such products, i.e. FDA, USDA, etc.  
         [0039]     In a first embodiment of  FIG. 2A , the user applies a pressure source of compressed air by operation of air pump piston shaft  150  and air pump/air vent assembly  120  to air/gas check valve  140 . Compressed air flows through air check valve flapper  142  to pressure tube inlet  510  to air/gas pressure tube  500  into volumetric displacement operative balloon  300 . Liquid check valve  250  prevents backflow of gases. Application of air pressure to operative balloon  300  will cause flow of wine from liquid spigot  210 .  
         [0040]     In an alternate embodiment of  FIG. 1  ( FIG. 2B ), liquid spigot  210  is connected to vertical loop seal  254  wherein the loop seal comprises at least one 360° loop of tubing for 360° vertical circular flow. Loop seal  254  acts to control outflow of liquid spigot  210  and acts to prevent backflow of gases into the container/vessel.  
         [0041]     In a second embodiment ( FIGS. 3-5 ), the user applies a pressure source of an external compressed inert gas that is greater than the atmospheric pressure to the pressure tube inlet  510  using a coupling connector (not shown), which protrudes vertically from top surface of cap-external gas  110 . Pressure tube inlet  510  is retained in position as cap-external gas  110  by retainer  124 . The compressed gas flows through air/gas check valve  140  to air/gas pressure tube  500  into volumetric displacement operative balloon  300 . Concurrently, the user opens liquid dispensing valve  200  on the dispensing liquid outlet  220  to liquid spigot  210 .  
         [0042]     In the second embodiment ( FIGS. 3-5 ), a liquid may be employed in lieu of a gaseous pressure source. This allows the air or other gases in the bottle  50  to be purged through perforated tube  400  while the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  inflates by the liquid pressure and occupies the void space in the bottle  50  thus forcing the liquid up perforated tube  400  through liquid check valve  250  and out liquid spigot  210 , until the user closes the liquid dispensing valve  200  ( FIGS. 3-5 ). When the user decants the contained liquid dispensing valve  200  is opened causing the internal and external pressure to equilibrate.  
         [0043]     In the first embodiment, upon drawing fluid from the bottle  50 , suction force is applied to the surface of the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  in contact with the liquid resulting in balloon inflation by drawing in atmospheric air. The suction force on the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  is transmitted to the air/gas check valve  140  by pressure tube inlet  510  to air pump/air vent assembly  120 . Air/gas check valve  140  is drawn open by the negative suction force wherein air is admitted in a volume directly corresponding to the volume of liquid decanted. This process is repeated by the user until the volume of liquid in the bottle  50  is decanted. In another embodiment, air/gas check valve  140  may comprise a mechanism for temperature compensation, wherein the spring tension of the valve closure may respond to colder temperatures by reducing the spring tension, and conversely by increasing the spring tension upon exposure to increases in temperature.  
         [0044]     In the second embodiment, application of additional measured amounts of compressed gas results in added decantation of wine from the container by inflation of the operative balloon.  
         [0045]     Further, referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , additional details of the volumetric displacement dispenser are generally shown. Referring to cap-air pump  105  of cap assembly  100  (FIGS.  1 ,  2 A- 2 B) and cap-external gas  110  ( FIGS. 3-5 ) each have a given shape, height, circumference, a top, a base, a contiguous circumferential side, an inside surface and an outside surface. Air pump/air vent assembly  120  is connected to cap-air pump  105  of cap assembly  100  underside by retainer  124  ( FIGS. 2A-2B ). Air pump/air vent body  122  ( FIG. 2A ) has an inlet (not shown). Retainer  124  ( FIGS. 2A-2B ,  5 ), is in communication with air/gas check valve  140  ( FIGS. 2A, 5 ) wherein air/gas check valve  140  ( FIGS. 2A, 4 ) is disposed to operation by the user and is connected to pressure tube inlet  510  ( FIG. 2A ); and air/gas pressure tube  500  ( FIGS. 1-5 ), subsequently terminating in volumetric displacement operative balloon  300 . The volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  with capacity to yield to a minimum suction force or vacuum has resistance to tearing and rupture in event of over-pressurization, moderate impulse forces or cyclic forces. The pressure tube inlet  510  is connected to air/gas pressure tube  500  by inlet air connector  132  ( FIG. 1 ). The volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  is connected to air/gas pressure tube  500  by retaining clip  310 . Both air/gas pressure tube  500  and liquid discharge tube  400  are routed through ported stopper  600  with each tube borehole in substantial agreement with the outside diameter of each tube. Thereby, a pressure and watertight seal is facilitated to provide isolation of the contents of the bottle  50  or other similar container from the environment.  
         [0046]     In alternative embodiments of cap assembly  100  and cap-external gas  110  ( FIGS. 2A-2B ,  3 - 5 ), air/gas check valve  140  can comprise a connection means such as but not limited to a nipple, union, hose barb, solder joint, coupling and any other fitting known in the Mechanical Arts to permit a number of volumetric displacement dispensers&#39; inlets to be connected to a manifold. Compressed air or an inert gas can be supplied as required through the manifold to inflate the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  ( FIG. 3 ). This alternative embodiment requires that the manifold has at least one demand valve having an adjustable set pressure range for predetermined pressure.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the volumetric displacement operative balloon is shown as  300 . The volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  comprises a flexible membrane of a given shape, length and diameter, having a first end, a second end and having at least one opening in the first end, which is responsive to a suction force or vacuum at minimal increments developed by a suction force or vacuum from removal of fluid, wherein a corresponding enlargement of the membrane occurs. The volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  may comprise a membrane having a configuration in substantial agreement with the container in which the volumetric displacement dispenser  10  is utilized such that the entire volume of the container is occupied by the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  upon inflation.  
         [0048]     The volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  membrane typically is of varying gauge corresponding to the length and symmetry of the container/vessel. Upon inflation, the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  expands. As stated earlier, the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  comprises materials of construction required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for food grade polymers and elastomers, and must not evidence wear or deterioration from contact with the fluid or the container/vessel.  
         [0049]     Specifically, referring to  FIG. 2A , illustrating a first embodiment, cap-air pump  105  of cap assembly  100  is shown in accordance with the present invention. Cap-air pump  105  encloses air pump/air vent assembly  120 , air pump/air vent body  122 , retainer  124 , liquid spigot  210  and ported stopper  600 .  
         [0050]     Air pump/air vent assembly  120  ( FIG. 2A ) comprises air pump/air vent body  122  with an air inlet (not shown) in the topside of cap-air pump  105 . Retainer  124  secures the air pump/air vent assembly  120  to cap-air pump  105  while simultaneously serving as a guide for piston  126  in the bore of air pump/air vent body  122 . Piston  126  is maintained in spaced agreement with the internal walls of air pump/air vent body  122 . The downward axial travel of piston  126  is opposed by piston spring  128 , having a spring constant and force in direct contact with the piston  126 .  
         [0051]     In operation, a method of use of the instant invention is detailed for the user to employ the following sequence to replace an existing container stopper with the volumetric displacement dispenser  10  ( FIGS. 1-5 ) in the following procedure:  
         [0052]     (a) Remove the original container seal.  
         [0053]     (b) Determine if volumetric displacement operative balloon  300 , casing  320  and liquid discharge tube  400  can be inserted into the container opening and if cap assembly  100  will seal the container opening.  
         [0054]     (c) Insert volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  and liquid discharge tube  400  into the container, taking care not to disconnect pressure tube inlet  510  and air/gas pressure tube  500  from inlet air connector  132  and discharge tube connector  232 .  
         [0055]     (d) Insert cap assembly  100  into the container opening until the cap assembly base is firmly seated against the top of the container opening.  
         [0056]     (e) Insure that cap assembly  100  fits tightly into the container.  
         [0057]     (f) Inflate the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  until a small volume of the dispensable liquid is decanted. Transparent tubing in cap assembly  100  can provide visual confirmation that the system is liquid full.  
         [0058]     (g) Close liquid dispensing valve  200  if applicable.  
         [0059]     (h) In the event that the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  loses contact with the dispensable liquid, the sequence is repeated.  
         [0060]     (i) Open liquid dispensing valve  200  and withdraw liquid from the container. The user should observe that the volumetric displacement operative balloon  300  expands, maintaining contact with the dispensable liquid.  
         [0061]     A table of reference characters used for parts of the volumetric displacement dispenser follows.  
                                                   TABLE OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS FOR PARTS       OF THE VOLUMETRIC DISPLACEMENT DISPENSER            Reference           Character   Part Term                    10   VOLUMETRIC DISPLACEMENT DISPENSER       50   BOTTLE       100   CAP ASSEMBLY       105   CAP-AIR PUMP       110   CAP-EXTERNAL GAS       120   AIR PUMP/AIR VENT ASSEMBLY       122   AIR PUMP/AIR VENT BODY       124   RETAINER       126   PISTON       128   PISTON SPRING       132   INLET AIR CONNECTOR       140   AIR/GAS CHECK VALVE       142   AIR/GAS CHECK VALVE FLAPPER       150   AIR PUMP PISTON SHAFT       200   LIQUID DISPENSING VALVE       210   LIQUID SPIGOT       220   DISPENSING LIQUID OUTLET       230   DISPENSING VALVE OPERATOR       232   DISCHARGE TUBE CONNECTOR       250   LIQUID CHECK VALVE       252   LIQUID CHECK VALVE SEAT       254   LOOP SEAL       300   VOLUMETRIC DISPLACEMENT OPERATIVE BALLOON       310   RETAINING CLIP       320   VOLUMETRIC DISPLACEMENT DEVICE CASING       400   LIQUID DISCHARGE TUBE       500   AIR/GAS PRESSURE TUBE       510   PRESSURE TUBE INLET       600   PORTED STOPPER                  
 
         [0062]     In summary, the instant invention comprises a volumetric displacement dispenser for bottles for dispensing measured quantities with exclusion of air from contents of the dispensing bottle, the liquid dispenser embodied as a bottle cap assembly wherein said bottle cap assembly, as a volumetric displacement dispenser, in combination, comprises: (a) a separate cap for said bottle cap assembly, (b) a means for a source of compressed gas, (c) an air/gas check valve, (d) a liquid control means, (e) an expandable operative polymer balloon, (f) a casing of polymer material to encase said expandable operative polymer balloon, (g) a ported stopper to seat said bottle cap assembly in neck of dispensing bottle, and (h) associated polymer tubes, retaining clips and tubing connectors.  
         [0063]     The means for a source of compressed gas can comprise a manually operated air pump, which comprises a piston shaft, a piston, a piston spring, a retainer for the air pump/air vent body, an air pump/air vent body assembly and an air pump/air vent body.  
         [0064]     The means for a source of compressed gas can comprise an external source of compressed gas for attachment to an external pressure tube inlet by coupling connector inserted through said separate cap for said bottle cap assembly and held in place by a retainer. The source of compressed gas can comprise a source of an inert gas comprising a cylinder of compressed gas.  
         [0065]     The air/gas check valve comprises an air/gas check valve flapper positioned in the air/gas pressure tube.  
         [0066]     The liquid control means comprises: (a) a liquid check valve seat, (b) a liquid check valve, (c) a perforated liquid discharge tube, (d) a liquid dispensing valve, (e) dispensing valve operator, (f) a dispensing liquid outlet, and (g) a liquid spigot.  
         [0067]     The liquid control means comprises: (a) a perforated liquid discharge tube and (b) a vertical loop seal in said liquid discharge tube wherein said vertical loop seal consists of at least one 360° loop of tubing for at least one 360° circular loop of vertical liquid flow.  
         [0068]     The ported stopper has fitted bores, which route tubes through said stopper and said stopper is sized to securely seat within neck of the dispensing bottle.  
         [0069]     A method of use of the instant invention to replace an existing container stopper with the volumetric displacement dispenser with exclusion of air from contents of the dispensing bottle comprises the following procedure:  
         [0070]     (a) Remove the original container seal.  
         [0071]     (b) Determine if the operative balloon encased in the balloon casing and liquid discharge tube is insertable into the container opening and if the dispenser portal stopper seals the container opening.  
         [0072]     (c) Insert the operative balloon encased in the balloon casing and liquid discharge tube into the container opening, taking care not to disconnect the pressure tube inlet and air/gas pressure tube from the inlet air connector and discharge tube connector.  
         [0073]     (d) Insert the cap assembly into the container opening until the cap assembly ported stopper is firmly sealed in the container opening.  
         [0074]     (e) Insure cap assembly fits tightly in the container.  
         [0075]     (f) Inflate the operative balloon until a small volume of liquid from the container is decanted and the operative balloon contacts the surface of the dispensable fluid.  
         [0076]     (g) In the event the operative balloon loses contact with the contained fluid, the sequence is repeated.  
         [0077]     While the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein are presently considered to be preferred, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is indicated in the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.