NL2029734B1 - Aerator - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerator is provided for aerating a liquid. The aerator comprises a manually operable pump and an aeration device which can be submerged into the liquid. Using the pump, air can be blown through the aeration device and into the liquid. To allow for a substantially air-tight fit between the pump and the aeration device, an interface element is provided which can be interconnected between the pump and the aeration device. The interface element comprises a one-way valve allowing essentially only fluid flow from the pump to the aeration device. [Fig. 1]

Description

P131598NL00

Title: Aerator

TECHNICAL FIELD

The aspects and embodiments disclosed herein relate to the field of aerator assemblies, in particular to aerators for aerating food and/or beverage.

BACKGROUND

A known process in food and beverage preparation is aeration of the food or beverage, such as foaming or oxidation. In particular in wine serving, the wine is often mixed with air to accelerate the wine oxidation and/or to let the wine breathe. This process is also known as aerating.

However, such aerating is difficult to control, and/or the known aerators are often large, bulky devices either for use with the bottle, or for use with a single glass or carafe.

W02021/066653A1 discloses an aerator for aerating liquid, such as wine, wherein the aerator is configured for cooperation with a dual-use pump.

A dual-use vacuum pump can be operated in a suction mode and in a blowing mode. In the blowing mode, the pump can be used for aerating a liquid. The aerator of WO2021/066653A1 can be connected to the pump. The aerator has a one-way valve arranged in the aeration tube thereof to prevent liquid flowing towards the pump. The one-way valve is positioned between an inlet and an outlet of the aeration tube.

A drawback of the known aerators is that they are often dedicated, and thus expensive tools, suitable for use with a dedicated pump. Also, since aerators are used in combination with food and beverages, it is important that they can be cleaned easily. There is thus a need for a more versatile and/or more easy to clean aerator.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to provide for an aerator which is convenient in use for users, in particular consumers, for example by being more hygienic and/or easier to clean and/or to provide for an aerator which is smaller, less bulky and/or less complex than known aerators and/or to provide for an aerator which is compatible with different types of pumps, in particular manually operable pumps.

To address at least one of these objects, a first aspect provides an aerator for aerating a liquid, food or beverage, and a second aspect provides a kit of parts for forming an aeration assembly. In general and throughout this disclosure, an aerator may be an aeration assembly formed by components in a kit of parts, and components in a kit of parts may be used to form an aerator.

The aerator according to the first aspect is an aerator assembly that comprises a pump, comprising an air chamber with an air outlet, and an actuator for moving air from the air chamber through the air outlet, wherein the pump is at least operable in a blowing mode for blowing air out of the air outlet. The aerator further comprises an aeration device, comprising at an upstream end an air inlet, and at a downstream end an air outlet arranged to be at least partially submerged in the liquid, and an interface element, comprising an interface body with an upstream side and a downstream side, and an interface passage through the interface body between the upstream side and the downstream side, the interface element further comprising an upstream connector at the upstream side and a downstream connector at the downstream side. Between the upstream end air inlet and the downstream end air outlet a fluid connection is provided, e.g. with a guide element such as a tube or a flow line.

In general. the pump may be a manually operable pump, with a manually operable actuator. Alternatively, the pump may be an electronic pump with an electric motor as an actuator. The pump is at least operable in a blowing mode.

The aerator can thus be used for aerating liquid such as wine, or milk, or cream, or food such as eggs, etc.

The pump is releasably connected to the upstream connector of the interface element and the aeration device is releasably connected to the downstream connector of the interface, and the interface element further comprises a one-way valve in the interface passage. As such a fluid connection between the pump, the interface element and the aeration device can be established. Advantageously, the interface element is sealingly engaged to the pump at one side and to the aeration device at the other side to establish a fluid connection and minimize air leakage.

The aeration assembly thus comprises three distinct components that can be connected together and function as a system. By providing these three distinct components, the pump, the interface element and the aeration device, each of the components can be relatively simple and/or relatively easy to use and/or to clean and/or to manufacture.

The kit of parts according to the second aspect comprises a pump, comprising an air chamber with an air outlet, and an actuator for moving air from the air chamber through the air outlet. The kit of parts further comprises an interface element, comprising an interface body with an upstream side and a downstream side, and an interface passage through the interface body between the upstream side and the downstream side. The interface element further comprises a one-way valve in the interface passage.

The kit of parts also comprises an aeration device, comprising at an upstream end an air inlet, and at a downstream end an air outlet arranged to be at least partially submerged in a liquid, wherein the pump is connectable to the upstream side of the interface element, and the aeration device is connectable to the downstream side of the interface element to form the aerator assembly.

By providing a separate interface element which can be connected between the pump and the aeration device, differently sized pumps and aeration devices may be used together. As such, a more versatile use of a pump can be possible. In particular, it has been observed that some combinations of pumps and aeration devices cannot be connected to each other directly in a substantially air-tight manner. The interface element now allows previously incompatible pumps and aeration devices to be connected to each other in a substantially air-tight manner, via the interface element, to form an aerator assembly.

By virtue of the one-way valve, transport of fluid, in particular liquid such as a beverage, through the passage of the interface element from the downstream end to the upstream end may be prevented or at least reduced. This in turn may prevent the fluid to flow from the aeration device into the pump, for example due to a pressure in the pump being lower than a fluid pressure in the aeration device.

The one-way valve may for example be embodied as a duck-bill valve, or as an umbrella valve. In general, the one-way valve may open by virtue of a higher pressure at an upstream side of the valve compared to the pressure at the downstream side of the valve. Dependent on valve properties such as sizing and material use, a particular pressure threshold is required to open the valve. The higher pressure at the upstream side may be provide by the pump, operated manually by the user.

In embodiments, in an open state, the valve may form a restriction in for fluid passing through the interface passage. By virtue of the restriction, the velocity of the fluid may increase. This increased fluid velocity may in turn result in better aeration. In general, the term fluid may mean a gas, a liquid, or a combination thereof.

Additionally or alternatively, a flow-through area through the aeration device may be smaller than a flow-through area through the interface passage and/or a flow-through area through an air outlet of the pump. As such, the aeration device may form a restriction for the fluid flow relative to the interface body and/or pump. Providing such a restriction may be advantageous for the air being blown towards the air outlet of the aeration device, such air may be accelerated towards the air outlet thereby possibly 5 increasing the aeration capacity of the air outlet.

The manually operable pump may comprise a cylinder which defines the air chamber. The pump may then further comprise a piston as the actuator, which piston is arranged to be moved up and down in the cylinder.

In particular, a user can manually operate the pump, by moving the piston inside of the cylinder up and down, along an axial direction of the cylinder. A user may manipulate the piston at an upper end thereof and may move the piston up and down in the cylinder to create a pumping motion. The piston may thus be provided with a handle or grip that can be held by a hand of a user. The lower end of the cylinder can be configured for engagement with a further device to introduce air into it or extract air out of it. The lower end of the cylinder may thereto be provided with a rim or foot that allows sealing engagement with such device. Alternatively, the lower end of the cylinder may be provided with a support element that allows the cylinder to be supported on a surface as well as for sealing engagement with such a further device. Such pump support element may be removable connected to the cylinder, e.g. for cleaning purposes of the pump. The interface element according to the invention can be connected directly to the lower end of the cylinder. The interface element is provided with connecting elements, forming the upstream connector, that engage with the lower end of the cylinder.

Alternatively, for example when the pump comprises a removable support element, the user can remove the support element from the pump and can replace it by an interface element that directly engages with the lower end of the cylinder, instead of the support element. As such, a versatile pump assembly can be obtained that allows multiple uses of the pump.

Alternatively, the interface element may be connected to such a support element to provide an air-tight connection between the connection elements of the upstream connector and corresponding engagement elements of the support element. As such, a single interface element may be connectable to various pumps.

When the interface element is connected to the pump, a pressure chamber may be formed by the cylinder, the piston, and the interface element.

When the pressure inside the pressure chamber exceeds a particular threshold, the one-way valve of the interface element may open.

Alternative pumps are envisioned as well. For example, a manually operable pump may comprise a balloon or other collapsible body forming the air chamber. By squeezing the balloon, a user may move air from the air chamber through an air outlet of the balloon. Any other type of pump which may be operated using only the force of the user may be used as well.

In general, the air outlet of the aeration device can be a relatively simple outflow opening, e.g. a single opening at the free end of the tube, or can be a complex mesh-type filter that is arranged at a free downstream end of the tube, or any configuration in between.

Advantageously, the air outlet may be configured as a filter for allowing air to exit the aeration device, preferably in bubbles to optimize the aeration of the food or beverage. The filter can be provided as a number of holes in the free end of the aeration device, or can be provided as a separate filter element that is removable connectable to the free end of the aeration device. When the filter is removably connected to the aeration device, this may allow for more easy assembly, but may also allow for relatively easy de- assembly and cleaning of the individual components.

The filter can have a rather fine mesh, e.g. meshes in an order of magnitude of microns, for example between about 1 micron to about 50 micron, preferably between about 1 to about 20 micron, more preferably between about 3 micron and about 5 micron.

Openings or holes in the filter may be larger, e.g. between about 0,5 mm to about 1 mm. The finer the mesh, the finer the air bubbles may be that are created, and the more intense the aeration of the liquid may be, which may result in a more intense taste or a finer foam. In general, the filter is used to diffuse air that is blown out of the aeration device. Diffused air may allow for better aeration of a liquid, e.g. may allow creating foam out of some liquids, such as milk.

The filter can be a steel mesh filter or a plastic mesh filter having meshes in an order of magnitude of microns, for example between about 1 micron to about 50 micron, for example between about 3 micron and about 5 micron. Thus, very small air bubbles can be generated so that a liquid may be relatively smoothly aerated.

The aerator may be specifically intended for blowing air only.

Preferably, the filter is sufficiently fine-meshed to allow air to pass through, but liquid not. To that end, the meshes are preferably as small as between about 1 micron to about 10 micron, preferably between about 3 micron and about 5 micron.

As a preferred option, the filter is a sintered metal or polymer filter.

A sintered metal filter may for example comprise stainless steel or bronze.

The process of sintering metal may provide a sintered body with pores which act as a filter. As a further option, a filter may comprise porous rock material or porous ceramic material.

The length of the filter may be between about 0,5 cm and about 4 cm, while the typical length of the aeration device may vary between about 2 cm and about 15 cm. Longer lengths of the aeration device are envisioned as well, for example to allow the filter to be inserted into a wine bottle or deep pan. Aeration devices can thus also be extended to 30 to 50 cm to aerate larger fluid containers such as pans and bottles during food preparation. In general, it 1s preferred to be able to hold the pump above the fluid level. By providing such a filter length, the user may vary which part of the filter is submerged to optionally control the aeration process. In some embodiments, the filter may be directly connected to the interface element. As a further option, the aeration device comprises a plurality of telescoping parts, to allow the user to change the length of the aeration device to a desired length.

In general, the aeration device may have a generally cylindrical shape, and may as such be an aeration tube. Alternatively, the aeration device may have an elongated shape with any outer cross-sectional shape, such as rectangular, square, triangular, or any other shape and combination of shapes. Preferably, the aeration device is made of stainless steel, for hygienic reasons for the use with food and/or beverages.

The aeration device may as an option be formed as a kitchen utensil, such as a spoon, turner, soup ladle, bar spoon, muddler, or any other utensil. The handle of the utensil may be hollow, allowing for passage of air through the handle. In use, the pump may be connected to a first end of the handle, using the interface element. At the second end of the handle, opposite to the first end, a spoon, whisk, ladle, or any other utensil end may be provided. The hollow part of the handle ends in the air outlet, which may be positioned near or by the utensil end. In particular embodiments, the aeration device is embodied or formed as an aeration tube. The utensil end, such a whisk or spoon part, may be releasably connectable to the aeration device, in particular at or near the air outlet of the aeration device.

The air outlet of the pump is at a lower end of the pump. There a support element may be releasably connected to the pump. For example, the support element may then form the air outlet and may be formed by a resilient or elastic material or compound. As such, the support element may form an air-tight connection with the interface element. Different support elements may be provided which may be compatible with different interface elements.

A third aspect provides an interface element for use in a kit of parts according to the second aspect. Options disclosed for the interface element in conjunction with the first and/or second aspect may be readily applied to the interface element according to the third aspect. The interface element may be provided separately, for use in combination with an existing pump and/or aeration device.

A fourth aspect provides for a method of aerating a liquid. The method comprises the steps of claim 13.

When the interface element can be disconnected from the pump, a different interface element may be subsequently connected to the pump and/or a different pump may be subsequently connected to the interface element. Similarly, when the interface element can be disconnected from the aeration device, a different interface element may be subsequently connected to the aeration device and/or a different aeration device may be subsequently connected to the interface element.

Further aspects are represented in the subclaims.

These and other aspects will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing comprising figures described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The figures show examples of embodiments of the aspects in a non- limitative way. In the figures:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic section view of a kit of parts for forming an aerator assembly;

Figs. 2A and 2B show in a schematic section view an embodiment of an aerator assembly;

Figs. 3A and 3B show different embodiments of the aerator assembly;

Fig. 4 shows in a single figure five different embodiments of the aeration device;

Fig. 5 shows in an exploded view an embodiment of a manually operable pump; and

Figs. 6A and 6B show in a schematic section view an embodiment a manually operable pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the figures, corresponding elements are designated with corresponding reference signs. It is noted that the figures need not be drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic section view of a kit of parts 100 for forming an aerator assembly 102. In general, in the figures, the downstream direction is defined as from the top of the page to the bottom of the page — i.e. from the pump 200, through the interface element 300, to the aeration tube 400. The view of Fig. 1 may be regarded as an exploded section view of an embodiment of an aerator 102. More in general, any aerator may be formed by components comprised by kit of parts.

The embodiment of the manually operable pump 200 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a cylinder 202 and a piston 204 which is moveable up and down in the cylinder 202. Connected to the piston 204 at an upstream end 1s a handle 206, which allows a user to conveniently manually move the piston 204 up and down in the cylinder 202. The piston 204 and the handle 206 are an example of a manually operable actuator, for moving air from an air chamber defined by the cylinder 202 through an air outlet 209 of the cylinder 202. The air outlet 209 is at a lower end of the cylinder 202. Here the lower end of the cylinder 202 also provides for support allowing the pump e.g. to be positioned on a surface. The lower end of the cylinder 202 may comprise a resilient material to allow for sealing engagement with a further surface or device. Alternatively, the lower end of the cylinder may be provided with a removable support element, which may be from a resilient material.

Surrounding the piston 204 at a downstream end is a sealing member 208. By virtue of the sealing member 208, during a downward movement of the piston 204 in the cylinder 202 (towards the air outlet 209),

the sealing member 208 provides a seal between the piston 204 and an inner wall of the cylinder 202. In an upward movement (away from the air outlet 209), the sealing member 208 allows a passage between the piston 204 and the inner wall of the cylinder 202, as will be further explained in conjunction with Figs. 2A and 2B. In general, a downward movement of the piston 204 corresponds to a movement in the downstream direction.

The embodiment of the interface element 300 shown in Fig. 1 comprises an interface body 302 which has an upstream side 304 and a downstream side 306. An interface passage 310 passes through the interface body 302. In the interface passage 310, a one-way valve 308 is positioned. The one-way valve 308 is in Fig. 1 depicted in a closed state. The interface body 302 and the one-way valve 308 may together be formed by a single body, or multiple connected bodies.

The aeration tube 400 depicted in Fig. 1 is an example of an aeration device, and comprises a substantially cylindrical tube body 402 with an air inlet 406 and a passage 408 for fluid therethrough, and a filter 404 at a downstream end of the tube body 402 as an air outlet. The passage 408 may be essentially free of restrictions, such as any one-way valves. As such, it may be more convenient to clean the passage 408 and/or to keep the passage 408 clean. Advantageously, the filter 404 may be removable connectable to the tube body 402.

When the kit of parts 100 shown in Fig. 1 is assembled, the interface element 300 may be connected between a downstream end of the cylinder 202 and an upstream end of the aeration tube 400. Preferably, a substantially air-tight connection is obtained between the interface element 300 and the pump 100, and between the interface element 300 and the aeration tube 400. Advantageously, the interface element 300 can be made wholly or partially from a resilient material, such as silicone rubber or elastomer. Alternatively, the interface body 302 may be formed as a substantially solid body, arranged to not significantly deform during use, e.g.

made from hard plastic or durable plastic, such as polycarbonate or polymer.

An air-tight seal with the solid body may be achieved using for example one or more O-rings or other sealing member positioned between the interface body 302 and the pump and/or between the interface body and the aeration device. Such sealing member may be provided on the interface element and/or on the aeration device and/or on the pump.

By providing the interface element 300 at least partly from a resilient material, a tight fit can be obtained when connecting the interface element to the pump at one end, and a tight fit can be obtained when connecting the aeration tube to the interface element at an opposite end. With such a tight fit, a sealing engagement can be obtained providing for an air- tight connection.

For example, as shown in Fig. 1, an upstream connector 305 of the interface body 302 may be inserted into the cylinder 202. Here the upstream connector 305 is provided as a shoulder of the interface element 300 that fits into the air passage 209 of the lower end of the cylinder 202. Advantageously, the interface element is of a resilient material, and the outer diameter of the shoulder may be somewhat larger than the inner diameter of the cylinder, allowing for a tight-fit or a press-fit to sealingly engage. Alternative connecting elements may be possible, for example, a circumferential groove can be provided at the upstream end of the interface element in which the lower end of the cylinder can engage. Also then, by providing a somewhat resilient material of the interface element or of the lower end of the cylinder, and one diameter slightly larger than an associated diameter, a tight-fit or press-fit can be obtained for the sealing engagement.

Furthermore, part of the aeration tube 400 may be inserted into a chamber 303 in the interface body 302, which chamber as such acts as a downstream connector. More in general, it will be understood that alternatively, part of the cylinder 202 or pump 200 in general may be inserted in to the interface body 302 and/or part of the interface body 302 may be inserted into the aeration tube 400. Here, the chamber 303 1s merely provided as a ring-shaped receiving chamber for receiving the upper end of the aeration tube. Alternatively, the downstream connector may have a connecting element that may be fit inside of the aeration tube to establish a sealing connection.

The interface body 302 may comprise a resilient or elastic material, which may elastically deform when at least one of the pump 200 and the aeration tube 400 are connected to the interface body 302. The elastic deformation may aid in obtaining an essentially air-tight seal. As an alternative to or an addition to a clamped connection using elastic deformation, the pump and/or the aeration tube may be connected to the interface element 300 via a threaded connection, or a bayonet connection, or any other connection allowing sealing engagement.

Fig. 1 shows a detail A, showing in more detail part of an example of the filter 404. The filter 404 may be formed out of or comprise sintered metal, resulting in a filter structure with pores. The pores may be irregularly formed, providing irregular channels between an inside of the filter and an outside of the filter allowing the air to pass through towards the outside of the filter. Such irregular formed channels may improve the formation of air bubbles, and may result in a high density of smaller bubbles — compared to a filter with more regularly formed channels. Additionally, such irregular formed channels may form a barrier for liquid droplets to propagate from the outside of the filter towards the inside of the filter, as such reducing liquid droplets entering into the aeration tube.

Figs. 2A and 2B show in a schematic section view an embodiment of an aerator 102, with the manually operable pump 200 depicted in two different positions. The aerator 102 further comprises the interface element 300 and the aeration tube 400 as an example of an aeration device, and may be an aerator assembly formed from a kit of parts.

Further shown in Figs. 2A and 2B is a glass 106 as an example of a receptacle, partially filled with wine 108 as an example of a liquid or beverage. Using the aerator assembly 102, which may be formed by connecting the individual components comprised by a kit of parts, the wine 108 can be aerated. In the situations of Figs. 2A and 2B, the aeration tube 400 is partially submerged into the wine 108. The filter is 404 is shown fully submerged into the wine 108.

In Fig. 2A, the pump 200 is shown with the piston 204 moving upward, a movement indicated with arrow I. When the piston 204 moves upward, the pressure inside the pressure chamber 210 formed by the piston 204, the cylinder 202 and the interface element 300 decreases to a level below ambient pressure. The decrease in pressure is caused by the volume of the pressure chamber 210 increasing, and the pressure inside the pressure chamber 210 may become lower than the ambient pressure.

By virtue of the pressure in the pressure chamber 210 becoming lower than the ambient pressure, ambient air may flow into the pressure chamber 210 between the piston 204 and the cylinder 202. A flow path for air is generally depicted with arrow JI.

The pressure inside the pressure chamber 210 can also drop below a pressure inside the passage 408 of the aeration tube 400. Flow of fluid, such as air or liquid, from the aeration tube 400 into the pressure chamber 210 is limited or preferably blocked by the one-way valve 308 provided by the interface element 300. In particular, it is preferred to prevent that liquid, such as the wine 108 in which the aeration tube 400 is submerged, becomes sucked up into the pump 200 — for example for reasons of hygiene.

In the situation of Fig. 2B, the piston 204 is moved in a downward direction into the cylinder 202. The movement is generally indicated with arrow II. By virtue of the movement of the piston 204, the volume of the pressure chamber 210 decreases, which causes an increase in air pressure inside the pressure chamber 210. When the air pressure inside the pressure chamber 210 exceeds a pressure inside the passage 408 of the aeration tube 400, the one-way valve 308 may open.

Subsequently, air is moved from the pressure chamber 210 via the interface element 300 to the aeration tube 400, which in turn causes an increase in pressure inside the passage 408 of the aeration tube 400. If the pressure inside the passage 408 exceeds a threshold, air moves from the passage 408, through the filter 404, into the wine 108 as bubbles 110. This flow path for air is generally indicated with arrow IV.

The sealing member 308 may substantially restrict air from flowing out of the pressure chamber 210 between the piston 204 and the cylinder 202 back into the ambient during the downward movement of the piston 204. The sealing member 308 is here shown as a sealing ring, but other sealing members, e.g. an outwardly flaring skirt at a lower end of the piston, may be possible as well.

Figs. 3A and 3B show different embodiments of the aerator assembly 102, in particular comprising different embodiments of the aeration tube 400, wherein the different embodiments of the aeration tube 400 are examples of aeration devices. The embodiments are depicted with the piston 204 in a downward movement, near or at the end of the downward stroke.

Between the embodiment of the aerator assembly 102 of Figs. 3A and 3B, different embodiments of the aeration tube 400 are shown. In particular, in the embodiment of Fig. 3B, the aeration tube 400 is shorter, and as such the filter 404 is not fully submerged into the liquid held in the receptacle, in this example the wine 108 in the glass 106.

Due to the filter 404 not being fully submerged — as graphically depicted in Figs. 3A and 3B — less aeration may be obtained. In particular, in the situation of Fig. 3B, air leaks over a flow path indicated with arrow IV".

The leaked air does not contribute to the aeration of the wine 108. Air may prefer to flow over flow path IV instead of over flow path IV” through the wine 108 because additional pressure may be required to flow through the wine 108.

It may hence be advantageous to use an elongated tube body 402 as shown in Fig. 3A, to allow a user to fully submerge the filter 404 into the wine 108, even with a high or tall glass 108 such as the one depicted in Fig. 3A. The elongated tube body 402 may also be used to prevent contact between the interface element 300 and/or pump 200 with the wine 108. The tube body 402 1s preferably air-tight, apart from an air inlet at the upstream end, and the air outlet which may be embodied as the filter 404.

Fig. 4 shows in a single figure five different embodiments of the aeration tube 400, each embodiment comprising a differently shaped filter 404. The embodiments of the aeration tube 400 are examples of aeration devices.

The first filter 404’ depicted furthest to the left in Fig. 4 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape. The second filter 404” has a tapered outer shape, in particular tapered in a downstream direction. The third filter 404” also has a tapered outer shape, although tapered in an upstream direction. The fourth filter 404” has a curved outer shape, and in particular resemble part of a sphere, for example approximately half of a sphere. Finally, the fifth filter 404” depicted furthest to the right has a curved outer shape, in particular approximating a full sphere.

It may be advantageous to increase the outer surface area of the filter 404, in particular the outer surface area of the filter 404 with the pores.

A tapered or curved outer shape may aid in increasing this outer surface area.

The increase in outer surface area may increase aeration and/or how the aerated liquid reacts with the air, in particular with the oxygen in the air blown into the liquid via the filter.

It will be understood that the five filter shapes shown in Fig. 4 are mere examples of envisioned filter shapes. In general, a filter may have an outer shape with a combination of shapes, for example partially cylindrical and partially curved, or a combination of different curvatures.

Fig. 5 shows in an exploded view an embodiment of a manually operable pump 200, which may be used to pump air through an aeration device. It 1s understood that the pump 200 is disclosed as a separate device from the aerator and the kit of parts. An example of an interface element 300 is also shown in Fig. 5, but may be seen as a separate element from the pump 200. The interface element 300 is, as according the invention, removable connectable to the pump 200.

The pump 200 comprises a piston 204 arranged to be moved in and relative to a cylinder 202. A handle 206 is connected to the piston 204, for example with a threaded connection. The handle 206, here provided as a head of the piston, acts as a manually operable actuator for operating the pump 200. At a downstream end of the piston 204, a sealing member 208 is provided for sealing an air chamber of the pump 200 during a pumping action.

The sealing member 208 is provided as a cap to close off the lower end of the piston 204. The sealing member is thereto provided with engagement elements, here a radially inwardly protruding ring that fits in a circumferential groove of the piston end. Preferably, the engagement elements, e.g. ring/groove, provide for a clamping or tight-fitting engagement such that the cap 208 is firmly coupled to the piston end. Also, by providing such clamping engagement, it allows the cap 208 to be removable from the piston, e.g. for cleaning purposes. The sealing member 208 has an outwardly flaring skirt that provides for sealing engagement with a cylinder inner wall in a first position and provides for an air passage along the cylinder wall in a second position. In an upward movement of the piston, the outwardly flaring skirt allows an air passage, in a downward movement of the piston the outwardly flaring skirt provides for sealing. Thus, a blowing pump is obtained.

The cylinder 202 comprises an optional circumferential recess 205 at a downstream end — i.e. at or near the air outlet of the pump 200. The recess 205 may allow for connection with an upstream connector 305 of the interface element 300. The upstream connector 305 may be formed by an upstream skirt 305 of the interface element 300. The upstream skirt 305 may comprise a radial portion protruding radially inward from the upstream skirt 305. This radial portion may interface with the recess 205 of the cylinder 202 when the interface element 300 is connected to the pump 200. The skirt 305 may be arranged to hinge radially outward when being connected to the pump 200.

Figs. 6A and 6B show in a schematic section view the manually operable pump 200 of Fig. 5. This pump 200 is configured to operate as a blowing pump. In Fig. 6A, the pump 200 1s shown with the piston 204 moving upward, a movement indicated with arrow I. When the piston 204 moves upward, the pressure inside the pressure chamber 210 formed by the piston 204, the cylinder 202 and the interface element 300 decreases to a level below ambient pressure. The decrease in pressure is caused by the volume of the pressure chamber 210 increasing, and the pressure inside the pressure chamber 210 may become lower than the ambient pressure.

By virtue of the pressure in the pressure chamber 210 becoming lower than the ambient pressure, ambient air may flow into the pressure chamber 210 between the piston 204 and the cylinder 202. In particular, air flows between the piston 204 and the cylinder 202, and subsequently between an inner wall of the cylinder 202 and the sealing member 208. The sealing member 208 allows an air passage along a cylinder inner wall when the piston moves upward.

Flow of fluid, such as air or liquid, into the pressure chamber 210 is limited or preferably blocked by the one-way valve 308 provided by the interface element 300.

In the situation of Fig. 6B, the piston 204 is moved in a downward direction into the cylinder 202. The movement is generally indicated with arrow II. By virtue of the movement of the piston 204, the volume of the pressure chamber 210 decreases, which causes an increase in air pressure inside the pressure chamber 210. When the air pressure inside the pressure chamber 210 exceeds a threshold pressure, the one-way valve 308 may open.

The one-way valve 308 may have a threshold pressure value. If the pressure difference over the valve, in particular between the upstream side of the valve and the downstream side of the valve, is larger than the predefined threshold, the valve will open to allow the fluid (air or liquid) to pass through. The one- way valve 308 is configured to prevent flow from the downstream side to the upstream side.

Subsequently, air is moved from the pressure chamber 210 through the interface element 300, in particular through the one-way valve 308 to the aeration tube 400, which in turn causes an increase in pressure inside the passage 408 of the aeration tube 400.

The sealing member 208 may substantially restrict air from flowing out of the pressure chamber 210 between the piston 204 and the cylinder 202 back into the ambient environment during the downward movement of the piston 204. The sealing member 208 depicted in Figs. 6A and 6B as an option partially protrudes into a downstream end of the piston 204. The piston 204 to this end comprises a hollow chamber 260 at a downstream end of the piston 204.

As a further option depicted in Figs. 6A and 6B, at the downstream end, the piston 204 comprises an outer recess, arranged to engage with an upstream skirt part of the sealing member 208. A downstream skirt part 262 of the sealing member 208 is arranged to be radially deformed to in the upward movement of Fig. 6A form allow a flow or air into the pressure chamber 210. During the downward movement of the piston 204 of Fig. 6B,

the downstream skirt part 262 forms a substantially air-tight circumferential seal with the cylinder 202.

The interface element 300 is removable connectable to the pump, in particular to the cylinder 204, e.g. via the inwardly protruding rim that engages with a corresponding groove on the cylinder outer wall. When removing the interface element 300, it may be replaced by for example a support element that engages to the cylinder in a similar way as the interface element. Such support element may for example provide for a foot on which the pump can stand. Alternatively, such support element may be obviated.

From Figs. 6A and GB, it will be understood that a pump 200 is envisioned, comprising a cylinder with an air outlet and a piston arranged to be moved up and down in the cylinder. A sealing member is connected to a downstream end of the piston, and is arranged to during a downward movement of the piston (i.e. towards the air outlet) form a substantially air- tight seal with an inner wall of the cylinder. During an upward movement of the piston, the sealing member allows a flow of air between the sealing member and the inner wall of the cylinder.

As an option, a downstream end of the piston is hollow, and the sealing member is arranged to be at least partially inserted into the hollow part of the piston.

As a further option, the sealing member comprises a sealing member body, and a downstream skirt part protruding from the sealing member body in a generally axial direction. The downstream skirt part can be radially deformed to form the substantially air-tight seal with the inner wall of the cylinder. The downstream skirt part may flare radially outward, as for example visible in Figs. 6A and 6B.

In the description above, it will be understood that when an element 1s referred to as being connect to another element, the element is either directly connected to the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. Also, it will be understood that the values given in the description above, are given by way of example and that other values may be possible and/or may be strived for.

In summary, an aerator is provided for aerating a liquid. The aerator comprises a manually operable pump and an aeration tube which can be submerged into the liquid. Using the pump, air can be blown through the aeration tube and into the liquid. To allow for a substantially air-tight fit between the pump and the aeration tube, an interface element is provided which can be interconnected between the pump and the aeration tube. The interface element comprises a one-way valve allowing essentially only fluid flow from the pump to the aeration tube.

It is to be noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments that are given by way of non-limiting examples. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one’, but instead are used to mean 'at least one’, and do not exclude a plurality.

Claims (17)

Conclusions An aerator for aerating food or drink, the aerator comprising: - a pump (200) comprising an air chamber having an air outlet, and an actuator for moving air out of the air chamber through the air outlet; - an aeration device (400) comprising an air inlet at an upstream end and an air outlet at a downstream end adapted to be at least partially immersed in the food or drink (108); and - an interface element (300), comprising an interface body (302) having an upstream side (304) and a downstream side (306), and an interface passage (310) through the interface body between the upstream side and the downstream side, the interface element further comprising an upstream connector on the upstream side and a downstream connector on the downstream side, wherein - the pump is releasably connected to the upstream connector of the interface element and the aeration device is releasably connected to the downstream connector of the interface element element; and - the interface element further comprises a one-way valve (308) in the interface passage. The aerator of claim 1, wherein the one-way valve in the interface passage is arranged to allow passage of fluid through the interface passage in a direction from the upstream side to the downstream side. An aerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in an open position, the one-way valve (308) forms a restriction in the interface passage (310). An aerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air outlet of the aerator (400) is arranged as a filter (404). An aerator according to claim 4, wherein the filter (404) is a sintered filter, preferably a sintered metal or a sintered polymer filter. An aerator according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the filter (404) has a tapered outer shape. An aerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump comprises a cylinder (202) designating the air chamber and a piston (204) as the actuator arranged to be moved up and down in the cylinder (202), and wherein when the interface member (300) is connected to the pump, a pressure chamber (210) is formed by the cylinder (202), the piston (204), and the interface member (300). An aerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the downstream connector is formed by a chamber (303) in the interface body. An aerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upstream connector is formed by part of the interface body surrounding the interface passage. An aerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air outlet of the pump is releasably connected to the pump. An aerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aeration device is formed as an aeration tube. An aerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump is a hand-operated pump and the actuator is a hand-operated actuator. 13. Set of parts (100) for forming an aerator assembly (102), the set of parts comprising: - a pump (200), comprising an air chamber with an air outlet, and an actuator for moving air out of the air chamber through the air outlet ; - an interface element (300), comprising an interface body (302) having an upstream side (304) and a downstream side (306), and an interface passage (310) through the interface body between the upstream side and the downstream side, the interface element further comprising a one-way valve (308) in the interface passage (310); and - an aeration device (400), comprising at an upstream end an air inlet, and at a downstream end an air outlet adapted to be at least partially immersed in a liquid (108); wherein the pump (200) is connectable to the upstream side of the interface member (300), and the aeration device (400) is connectable to the downstream side of the interface member (300) to form the aeration assembly (102). An interface element for use in a set of parts according to claim 13, comprising an interface body (302) having an upstream side (304) and a downstream side (306), and an interface passage (310) through the interface body between the upstream side and the downstream side, the interface element further comprising a one-way valve (308) in the interface passage (310). 15. Method for aerating food or drink, the method comprising the steps of: - connecting an interface element to a pump, in particular a manually operable pump; - connecting an aeration device to the interface element; - immersing at least part of an air outlet of the aerator into the food or drink; operating the pump to increase an air pressure in a pressure chamber between the pump and the interface element to a threshold pressure for opening a one-way valve contained by the interface element; and - allowing air to flow from the pressure chamber, through the one-way valve of the interface element, into the food or beverage via the aeration device. A method according to claim 15, comprising: - detaching the interface element from the pump; and - detaching the interface element from the aeration device. A hand pump and interface element set according to claim 14, further comprising a pump assist element.