Australian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title "Improvements relating to venturi apparatuses" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: P/00/011 VENTURI DEVICE FOR AERATING WINE AND USE OF SAME The disclosure of the complete specification of Australian Patent Application No. 2007218017 as originally filed is incorporated herein by reference. 5 The present invention is directed to a venturi device, and more particularly, a venturi device that is operative to aerate wine. Venturi-type devices are well-known in the art. Generally, such devices comprise fittings or tubular structures, and in particular pipe structures, that are constricted in the middle and flared on both ends. When a fluid, such as a gas or liquid, is passed through the venturi, the fluid's velocity of 10 flow is caused to increase whereas the fluid's pressure is correspondingly caused to decrease. Such devices are used in a variety of applications, and especially in measuring fluid flow or for creating suction as for driving aircraft instruments or drawing fuel into the flow stream of a carburettor. Venturi devices may be used to mix or combine wine and air, Drawbacksl currently exist in relation to the construction of such devices. 15 According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a verituri device for aerating wine, comprising: a wine-receiving section an upper end of which defines an inlet through which wine may be poured into the wine-receiving section when the device is orientated upright, whereby a flow thereof passes through the device so orientated under gravity, and a lower end of which defines an 20 outlet which is smaller in cross-sectional area than the inlet; a mixing section which is downstream of the wine-receiving section and comprises a passageway; an air intake, separate from the wine-receiving section, via which said passageway is in fluid communication with an exterior of the device such that the flow draws air into said 25 passageway therethrough, the air intake comprising inlets arranged at spaced positions around a periphery of the device; and an exit section which is arranged downstream of the mixing section such that the wine exits the device therethrough. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of 30 aerating wine, comprising, with a device according to the first aspect orientated upright, pouring wine into the wine-receiving section through the inlet, whereby the wine flows, undcr gravity, through the device, such that air is drawn through the air intake passages into the passageway so as to mix with the wine and the wine exits the device through the exit section, According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of aerating 35 wine, comprising: -2 orientating upright a venturi device according to the first aspect and pouring wine into the wine-receiving section through the inlet whereby the wine flows through the upright-orientated device under gravity, such that air is drawn through the air intake passages into the passageway so as to mix with the wine, and the wine exits the device through the 5 exit section. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide a venturi apparatus that modifies the desired flow dynamics to consequently improve the ability of wine passing through the venturi to draw in air such that a resultant mixture is produced having substantially greater homogeneity than conventional venturi devices. Preferred embodiments of the invention also provide a venturi 10 apparatus that is of simple construction, low cost to design and capable of being readily deployed in a wide-variety of applications, such as a device that can be readily utilized with a low or high pressurized fluid flow, and facilitate the mixture of air with wine. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide a venturi apparatus that is operative to facilitate the assimilation and mixture of air and wine in a manner superior to prior art venturi 15 apparatuses. In certain embodiments, the venturi apparatus comprises a pluitality of sections defining a fluid passageway, a first said section comprising a generally funnel-type, frusto-conical void for receiving wine, the first funnel section, per conventional venturi design, possessing a tapered configuration operative to dcfinc a progressively narrowing passageway to thus accelerate fluid velocity, the first section channeling the wine to a first cylindrical section, the letter defining a 20 generally straight, cylindrical passageway and being operative to normalize the flow of wine and thus reduce fluid turbulence, and an expanded intermediate cylindrical passageway, fluidly connected to the first cylindrical section, that is configured and dimensioned to be larger in diameter than the first cylindrical section, the intermediate passageway being operative to cause the wine received from the first cylindrical section to experience a slight decrease in pressure, contrary 25 to conventional venturi design. The venturi apparatus includes an air intake. The air intake may include two diametrically opposed sidearm passageways fluidly connected to the intermediate passageway to thus enable air to be drawn into and introduced with the wine. Preferably, such sidearm passageways will be operative to fluidly interconnect with the intermediate passageway at approximately the medial portion of the intermediate passageway. Along these lines, to facilitate 30 optimal flow dynamics may require that the sidearm passageways introducing one or more additional fluids interconnect with the intermediate passageway at a point where the wine experiences a slight reduction in pressure. In certain embodiments, extending downwardly from the intermediate passageway is a second cylindrical section that is preferably smaller in diameter relative to the intermediate passageway and operative to receive the wine and air and normalize the 35 flow of the same. Descending from the second cylindrical section there may be provided a second -3 funnel-type, frusto-conical void defining an exit pathway that enables the fluids to further mix and exit. The aforementioned sections may be integrated in vertical, horizontal, or angled configurations. The invention is efficient and effective to facilitate the aeration of wine, especially red 5 wine. Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of non limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is an elevated perspective view of a housing incorporating a venturi apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 10 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view showing a chamfer-type transition between adjoining sections of the venturi apparatus; and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the intermediate passageway of the apparatus and passageways of the apparatus fluidly coupled therewith for facilitating the mixture between 15 wine and air. The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, 20 that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. Referring now to the figures, and initially to Figure 1, there is perspectively illustrated a venturi apparatus 10 that is operative to facilitate the assimilation and mixture of wine, particularly red wine, and air, in a manner that is exceptionally more effective and efficient than prior art 25 methods, The venturi apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of sections, narnely, a first funnel section 14, first cylindrical section 16, intermediate passageway 18, at least one and preferably two sidearm passageways 24, 26, second cylindrical section 28 and second funnel section 30, all of which are discussed more fully below, that collectively define a sequential path or passageway through which 30 wine is caused to flow through and by which air, via its introduction through passageways 24, 26, is drawn into intermediate passageway 18 and thereafter combine and exit the apparatus via second cylindrical section 28 and second funnel section 30, the latter being operative to facilitate mixing and attaining the desired homogeneity. To achieve the desired effects herein described, there is shown in Figure 2 the arrangement 35 of the various sections of the venturi apparatus of embodiments of the present invention. As I l:\sbalmienm obN)WCOZ wl k 1.doe.] 1111)3 A -4 illustrated, first funnel section 14 defines an opening for receiving wine. The wine introduced into first section 14, per conventional venturi design, creates a narrowing of the fluid flow path, thus creating an increase in the wine's velocity and decrease of the wine's pressure. The wine then passes from the first section 14 to a first straight, cylindrical or tubular 5 section 16 as shown. Such first cylindrical section 16 is operative to normalize the flow of the wine passing from the first funnel section 14 and consequently reduces fluid turbulence. In order to attain optimal functioning of the venturi, a chamfer or bevel may be provided at the point interconnecting adjacent sections, 14 and 16 of the venturi 10, shown as 32 in Figure 2A. In this regard, it is believed that this smooth rounded transitional surface is operative to facilitate fluid flow and 10 minimize turbulence and disruptions. To fabricate such contoured surfaces will be easily understood by those skilled in the art and that any type of material, whether it be glass, plastic and/or metal can be readily utilized to fabricate the venturi devices disclosed hercin. The wine is then sequentially introduced from first cylindrical section 16 to intermediate passageway 18, As illustrated, intermediate passageway 18 defines a chamber having a diameter 15 greater than that of the first cylindrical section 16, and is provided with a floor and ceiling as well as a mid section having a diameter substantially greater than the first cylindrical section 16 and second cylindrical section 28. As a consequence of having a greater diameter, the wine passing from the first cylindrical section 16 to the intermediate passageway 18 experiences a slight decrease in pressure, unlike conventional venturi devices. By virtue of the fluid flow into the intermediate 20 passageway 18, a vacuum force is created that causes air to be drawn into the intermediate passageway 18 via one or both sidearm passageways 24, 26, as shown. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the venturi apparatus 10 need only be provided with one sidearm passageway to allow for the introduction of air. or, alternatively, may be provided with three or more channels to enable a greater volume of air to be drawn into the intermediate passageway 18. 25 Accordingly, although depicted in Figure 2 as having two diametrically opposed sidearm passageways 24, 26, and dedicated openings 20, 22, through which air may be introduced, various design changes and modifications of the passageway design will be readily appreciated by those. skilled in the art. Preferred embodiments of the apparatus 10 advantageously overcome the inability of 30 known venturi devices to introduce air into wine passing through the venturi device. In this regard, the velocity of the wine passing through prior art venturi devices is maximized at the point of tapering, which gives rise to the vacuum enabling the air to be drawn into the fluid flow. However, the venturi's tapered portion in such prior art devices, because of its limited size, is operative to reduce the area into which air can be drawn into the fluid flow. The combined increased speed of 35 the fluid and reduced area can thus preclude the ability of the venturi to draw in air.
H:sbinerove~n'JRPobTDCSN"'o6J.doc-10MU2014I -5 According to a preferred embodiment, at least one or all of the sidearm passageways 24. 26, will be configured such that the same arc fluidly connected to the intermediate passageway 18 at generally the median or mid section thereof. Along these lines, and as more clearly illustrated in Figure 3, sidearm passageways 24, 26, interconnect with intermediate passageway 18 at a point 5 below the ceiling of the intermediate passageway 18, represented by "A" and a distance above the floor of the intermediate passageway 18 represented in Figure 2 by "B". In a most highly preferred embodiment, distances "A" and "B" will be equal. It is preferred that some distance exist between the ceiling of the intermediate passageway 18 and the sidearm passageway or passageways 24, 26, utilized to introduce the air in order to achieve optimum intermixing of fluids as discussed more 10 fully herein. To the extent the passageways 24, 26, are aligned with the ceiling of the intermediate passageway 18 (i.e., the distance represented by "A" is 0), it is believed that the ability to optimally draw in air will be suboptimal and hence the ability to attain superior mixing by the venturi apparatus of the present invention will be suboptimal. By so arranging the interconnection between sidearm passageways 24, 26, and intermediate 15 passageway 18, the air is thus drawn into and allowed to mix with the wine passing into the intermediate passageway 18 in a manner substantially superior to that of prior ail devices, Quite unexpectedly, it is believed that by configuring the intermediate passageway 1 8 to have a greater diameter relative to both first and second cylindrical sections 16, 28 coupled with the introduction of air at substantially the mid portion of the intermediate passageway 18, a substantially greater 20 volume of air is drawn in to the fluid flow that, as a consequence, produces a substantially more thorough interaction between the air and wine to thus create a resultant mixture having a higher degree of homogeneity when the combined fluids pass through the venturi relative to the mixing of fluids via conventional venturi devices. Following the commingling of the first and second fluids in intermediate passageway 18, 25 the resultant combination is then caused to pass downwardly via second cylindrical section 28 that, similar to first cylindrical section 16, is operative to normalize fluid flow. Thereafter, the combination of fluids is caused to thoroughly intermix and exit via second funnel section 30 per conventional venturi devices. Along these lines, such second funnel section 30 facilitates the mixture between the fluids as the same undergo a decrease in velocity and an increase in pressure. 30 As will further be readily appreciated by those skilled in the ari, a variety of dimensions can be utilized in each of the various sections of the venturi apparatus for use in a given application. In one specific embodiment exceptionally effective in facilitating the aeration of wine, especially red wine, it is believed that the following dimensions are ideal: the first cylindrical section 14 will have a conical shape of any length tapering to 4.9 mm with a sharp reduction in 1.8 mm height to 35 4.7 mm, known as a chamfer or bevel, shown as 32 in Figure 2A; first cylindrical section 16 will H05inopwve9NPPo9:nIXSLYVIM9V711 _Ld0-10 MUN2Ni have a constant diameter of 4.7 mm and a height of at least 3.6 mm; intermediate passageway 18 will have a diameter of 6.3 mm and a height of approximately 5 mm; two symmetrical, diametrically opposed sidearm passageways, 24, 26 will have lengths of approximately 8.3 mm and diameters of approximately 3.2 mm and fluidly interconnecting with the intermediate passageway 5 18 at approximately the mid portion thereof; a second cylindrical section 28 will have a constant diameter of 4.7 mm and a height of 6,8 mm; and second exit funnel section 30 will have a height of approximately 64 mm tapering to an exit diameter of approximately 10.5 mm. When so constructed, the venturi apparatus is operative to substantially aerate wine, especially red wine, when a flow of liquid wine is merely passed through the venturi apparatus at atmospheric pressure 10 and the consumer need only pour the wine from the bottle through a vertically oriented venturi apparatus and into a wine glass or other receptacle, such as a decanter. Such dimensions, however, are merely one example of how to construct the venturi apparatus for a specific application and by no means should be construed as any limitation thereof. Moreover, the venturi apparatus 10, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, 15 may be formed as part of a housing 12, as shown in Figure 1. The venturi apparatus 10 is configured to assume a vertical orientation, to thus enable gravitational force to cause wine to flow sequentially through the sections 14, 1 6, 18, 28 and 30, as shown. Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts and steps described 20 and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit and scope of the invention. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of 25 integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this 30 specification relates.