WO2006022561A2

WO2006022561A2 - Method and apparatus for preserving a beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2006022561A2
Application number: PCT/NZ2005/000224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Greg Smith
Original assignee: Greg Smith
Priority date: 2004-08-24
Filing date: 2005-08-24
Publication date: 2006-03-02
Also published as: WO2006022561A3; NZ534856A

Abstract

An apparatus for preserving a beverage is provided. A container holds inert gas and release of the gas is controlled by a valve. A conduit is equipped with a diffuser for carrying gas from the valve, and the conduit and diffuser are dimensioned and arranged to be inserted into a bottle containing the beverage.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING A BEVERAGE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the preservation of beverages. In particular, the invention relates to preservation of beverages using an inert gas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food and beverages often spoil after opening of the original container in which the food or beverage was purchased. Several methods have been used to prevent such spoiling, thereby preserving any remaining food or beverage for later consumption. For example, cling films and air-tight containers can be used to exclude air, or the top of a container, such as a cork in a wine bottle, can be replaced. However, some air inevitably remains in the container and may still cause the food or beverage to spoil.

This is particularly problematic if wine is left in a partly full, sealed bottle. The air remaining in the bottle inevitably causes the wine to spoil.

To solve this problem, it has been suggested to fill the bottle with an inert gas, thereby excluding air from the bottle and preventing spoiling of the wine. EP 0134687 suggests a hand held can of inert gas, preferably the Freon CCIF₂ - CH₃, for this purpose. The can is equipped with a tube for carrying the gas from the can to a container carrying food or beverage.

However, gas is held at high pressure in such a can and exits the can at high speed when the can's valve is opened. This results in imperfect fluid flow, such that the gas does not effectively displace air from the container. Thus, air remains in the container and causes the food or beverage to spoil, even after attempting to fill the container with inert gas.

A system for filling a wine vat with inert gas is known from US 2004/0091591. This system includes a pipe closed at its end with perforated side walls. Gas is added to the vat through the pipe, but passes through the perforated side walls rather than through the end of the pipe. However, this industrial system is large and unwieldy. It is clearly unsuitable for use by a consumer of bottled wine. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for delivering inert gas to a bottle containing a beverage, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

In a first aspect the invention provides an apparatus including: a container containing inert gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure; a release valve allowing release of inert gas from the container; an actuator allowing the release valve to be opened and closed; a first conduit for carrying inert gas from the release valve; and a diffuser for diffusing the gas after its release from the release valve; wherein the first conduit and the diffuser are dimensioned and configured to be inserted into a bottle and are adapted to, in use, carry inert gas from the release valve to a bottle holding a beverage to be preserved.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method of preserving a beverage in a bottle, including: releasing an inert gas from a container containing inert gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure; transporting the inert gas through a conduit dimensioned and configured to be inserted into a bottle from the release valve to a bottle holding the beverage; dispersing the inert gas via a diffuser when released into the bottle from the conduit; and sealing the bottle, thereby holding the inert gas within the bottle and preventing air from entering the bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an apparatus according to a first embodiment in use; Figure 2a shows a first diffuser, for use in the apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figure 2b shows a second diffuser, for use in the apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figure 2c shows a third diffuser, for use in the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 2d shows a fourth diffuser, for use in the apparatus of Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1, an apparatus according to a first embodiment includes a container 1 having a release valve 2. When the button 3 is depressed, the release valve is opened, allowing the contents of the container to be released. A conduit 4, preferably a plastic tube, is connected to the release valve, fitting tightly into a hole in the release valve 2 or button 3. Gas released from the release valve is thus carried along the conduit 4.

The container may be a standard aerosol canister and is dimensioned to be hand held. Preferably the container has a diameter of between 40 and 60 mm and a height between 100 and 250 mm, to be conveniently held in the hand. Ideally the container is about 53 mm in diameter and 190 mm high.

Any suitable mechanism may be used to actuate the release valve, including buttons and triggers.

Gas is held within the container at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The container is typically filled to a pressure between 12 and 18 bar.

Any suitable inert gas may be used, including nitrogen or carbon dioxide. However, these gases, when used to preserve wine, may taint the wine. Preferably argon is used, although generally more expensive, as no tainting has been found when using this gas. Alternatively a mixture of inert gases may be used. The inert gas should be heavier than oxygen, so that oxygen is effectively displaced.

A diffuser 5 is attached to the end of the conduit 4. Some other means of diffusing the gas after its exit from the release valve may also be suitable. The diffuser is constructed from a porous plastic such as porous high density polyethylene (HDPE), allowing the passage of gas through while dispersing the gas, thereby slowing its passage. The diffuser 5 is preferably fixed to the conduit 4 simply by fitting the conduit 4 into an appropriately sized hole in the diffuser. An interference fit may be used, with the inner diameter of the hole in the diffuser smaller than the outside diameter of the conduit before joining. Alternatively, the diffuser may be glued or welded to the conduit, depending on the material. Other porous plasties that may be suitable include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW), nylon 6, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyethersulfone. Other materials that may be suitable for the diffuser include open cell foam, reticulated foam, SIF® foam, wood and certain porous ceramics.

The foam or plastic preferably has an uncompressed pore density between 10 and 100 pores per inch, ideally about 50 pores per inch. This density gives the optimum dispersion of gas while allowing its passage.

The diffuser 5 is preferably between 2 and 100 mm long and between 2 and 25 mm in diameter. Ideally the diffuser is about 20 mm long and about 5mm in diameter.

As illustrated in Figure 1 , the apparatus may be used to introduce inert gas into a partly empty wine bottle 6. For this application the conduit 4 may have a length between 10 and 25 cm in length, ideally about 15 cm in length. Other lengths may be used for other applications.

In use, the end of the conduit is introduced into the wine bottle 6 and is preferably positioned close to the surface of the remaining wine. The button 3 is depressed, opening the release valve and allowing inert gas to flow from the container 1 into the conduit 4. The flow of gas is slowed by the diffuser 5 as it leaves the conduit and enters the bottle. When sufficient inert gas has been introduced into the bottle, the button 3 is released, the conduit 4 is withdrawn from the bottle and a cork 7 or other suitable stopper is inserted in the opening of the bottle, sealing the bottle and preventing air from entering.

The term bottle is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include similar containers such as carafes, flasks and decanters.

Figures 2a to 2d show possible shapes of diffuser 5. The diffuser may be cylindrical (5a in Figure 2a), cone shaped (5b in Figure 2b), bell shaped (5c in Figure 2c), or any other suitable shape. The diffuser 5d may also be fitted with an end cap 8, possibly made of vinyl (Figure 2d). This prevents flow of gas through the end surface of the diffuser, creating even more favourable gas flow patterns, and allowing more effective displacement of air. The bell shaped diffuser of Figure 2c performs a similar function, as it presents an increasing resistance to gas flow along its length. This causes more gas to flow from the sides of the diffuser than from its end surface. The diffuser may also have a sculpted cross-section profile to maximise surface area. The cylindrical diffuser of Figure 2a is simple to manufacture. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment. Inert gas is stored in a gas cylinder 9 fitted with a regulator 10. The regulator regulates the pressure of gas exiting the cylinder. The regulator may be adjustable and may be fitted with a pressure gauge. A hose or other conduit 11 is attached to the regulator 10 and carries gas from the regulator to a release valve 12, fitted with an actuator 13. A conduit 14 similar to that of the first embodiment extends from the release valve 12 and is fitted with a diffuser 15. This apparatus is used in a similar manner to that of the first embodiment.

Preferably the release valve 12 and actuator 13 are formed as a gun-like unit (similar to a spray gun) which can easily be held in the hand. This allows the conduit and diffuser to be inserted into a bottle and the release valve to be operated using a single hand.

This second embodiment is expected to be useful in bars and restaurants, since it allows large cylinders of gas to be used. The cylinders may be stored remotely from the actuator (on the floor or in a basement, for example).

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. An apparatus including: a container containing inert gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure; a release valve allowing release of inert gas from the container; an actuator allowing the release valve to be opened and closed; a first conduit for carrying inert gas from the release valve; and a diffuser for diffusing the gas after its release from the release valve; wherein the first conduit and diffuser are dimensioned and configured to be inserted into a bottle and are adapted to, in use, carry inert gas from the release valve to a bottle holding a beverage to be preserved.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inert gas includes argon.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inert gas is substantially pure argon.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inert gas includes nitrogen.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the diffuser is made from porous plastic.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the porous plastic is porous high density polyethylene.

7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the diffuser is made of foam.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the foam is an open cell foam.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the foam is a reticulated foam.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the foam is SIF foam.

11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the uncompressed pore density of the foam or porous plastic is in the range 10 to 100 pores per inch.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the uncompressed pore density of the foam or porous plastic is about 50 pores per inch.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the diffuser is substantially cylindrical.

14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the diffuser is substantially cone-shaped.

15. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the diffuser is substantially bell-shaped.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the diffuser has a length between 2 and 100mm.

17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the diffuser has a width between 2 and 25mm.

18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the diffuser has an end cap fitted to its end surface, to prevent gas flow through that end surface.

19. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first conduit has a length of between 5 and 50 cm.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first conduit has a length of about 15 cm.

21. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is a hand held apparatus.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the container is a handheld gas canister with a release valve formed on its surface and the first conduit extends from the release valve for insertion into the bottle.

23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the container is a gas cylinder fitted with a regulator and a second conduit leads from the regulator to the release valve and the first conduit extends from the release valve for insertion into the bottle.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the release valve and actuator are formed as a gun-like unit.

25. A method of preserving a beverage in a bottle, including:

releasing an inert gas from a container containing inert gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure;

transporting the inert gas through a conduit dimensioned and configured to be inserted into a bottle from the release valve to a bottle holding the beverage;

dispersing the inert gas via a diffuser when released into the bottle from the conduit; and

sealing the bottle, thereby holding the inert gas within the bottle and preventing air from entering the bottle.

26. A diffuser for use in the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 24.

27. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. An apparatus according to claim 1, substantially as herein described.

29. A method according to claim 25, substantially as herein described.