WO2009024722A2

WO2009024722A2 - Device for dispensing a liquid from a bottle into a glass, in particular a wine bottle

Info

Publication number: WO2009024722A2
Application number: PCT/FR2008/051484
Authority: WO
Inventors: René Erb
Original assignee: Condor (Societe A Responsabilite Limitee); Erb, Antoinette
Priority date: 2007-08-13
Filing date: 2008-08-08
Publication date: 2009-02-26
Also published as: FR2920021A1; WO2009024722A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a liquid into glasses from a bottle or the like, in particular a wine bottle, that essentially comprises an insulated casing (2) for receiving at least one wine bottle (1) or the like, including a dispensing tap (3) and a holder (4) for a bottle (1) or the like, a means (5) for the air conditioning of the casing (2) and a draining assembly (6) connected to the bottle (1) or the like, to the tap (3) and to a tank of pressurised inert gas (7). The device is characterised in that the draining assembly (6) includes an independent draining pipette (9) to be inserted into the neck of the bottle (1) or the like. The invention can particularly be used in the field of dispensing liquid food products, in particular wine into glasses, from bottles or the like and particularly for private use.

Description

Device for dispensing a liquid to the glass from a bottle, in particular wine

The present invention relates to the field of the distribution of liquid food, in particular wine by the glass, from bottles, especially in private use, and relates to a device for dispensing a liquid to the glass from a bottle , especially wine. Currently, there are different devices for the distribution of spring water or other liquids contained in cylinders or small containers rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. These known devices make it possible to satisfy the usual requirements of consumers with regard to food liquids essentially intended for a relatively large volume distribution.

However, the distribution of high-quality wines by the glass, directly from a bottle is much less widespread and is practically only applicable in the field of wine bars or some restaurants. In such a case, several bottles of different wines are placed in an air-conditioned cabinet and connected to dispensing taps via connecting lines penetrating at their ends opposite to the taps in said bottles, which are connected, moreover, to an installation of pressurized neutral gas intended to ensure the flow of wine towards the taps. The devices of this type perfectly meet the needs of restaurants and wine bars, but are, however, not suitable for private use, especially for the conservation of wine in a bottle started and tasting it several times. Indeed, the cabinets implemented in the field of restoration, not only are intended to ensure the distribution of different wines from as many bottles, resulting in a relatively large size, but, in addition, the pipes of connection to the faucets used, require a rinsing operation at each change of bottle. However, such an operation is performed by rinsing the entire distribution circuit, which is quite restrictive.

To overcome these drawbacks, it has been proposed miniaturization existing cabinets, as described in particular in WO-A-87/02345, EP-AI 352 873, FR-A-2,460,326 and FR-A-2,616,767. However, there remains the essential disadvantage that, during a change of bottle, there is always the obligation to perform a rinsing of the whole. Such rinsing is all the more essential that a private user tends to change regularly tasted wine.

WO-A-85/05615 discloses another embodiment of an individual beverage dispenser. In this case, a valve-shaped dispenser is in one piece with a support of a pressurized gas cartridge and with a suction pipe immersed in the bottle or the like, the valve body being, in addition, provided with a fastening means on the neck of said bottle or the like. However, in this embodiment it is also necessary to perform a thorough and tedious rinsing of the device during a bottle change.

Finally, US-2003/098314 A1 discloses a device for dispensing a liquid to the glass from a bottle or the like, in particular wine, consisting essentially of an isolated box, receiving at least one a bottle of wine or the like, comprising a dispensing tap and a bottle support, by means of air conditioning of the box and by a withdrawal assembly connected to the bottle or the like, the tap and a reserve of inert gas under pressure, this withdrawal assembly comprising an independent withdrawal pipette to be inserted into the neck of the bottle or the like, in the form of a tubular element, one end of which is immersed in the bottle and the other end of which is housed in a mouthpiece. sealing assembly on the neck of the bottle or the like. Such a device allows an improvement with regard to the means of sampling the wine in the bottle, but is of a complex constitution and its implementation is relatively long.

The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a device for dispensing a liquid to the glass from a bottle, in particular wine, for directly distributing said wine from a bottle, while ensuring its organoleptic characteristics over a long time and requiring only minimal intervention during a bottle change.

For this purpose, the device for dispensing a liquid to the glass from a bottle, in particular wine, which is essentially constituted by an insulated box, for receiving at least one bottle of wine, comprising a tap of distribution and a bottle holder, by a means for conditioning the box and a draw-off assembly connected to the bottle, the tap and a reserve of pressurized inert gas, this withdrawal assembly comprising an independent withdrawal pipette, to be inserted into the neck of the bottle or the like and in the form of a tubular element, one end of which is immersed in the bottle and the other end of which is housed in a sealed mounting end on the neck of the bottle or the like, is characterized in that the mounting end seal is sealingly applied against the withdrawal assembly, which is provided with a connector housed in the withdrawal assembly, this connector having, on the other hand, on the one hand, an aligned central bore, in the operating position, with the tubular element of the withdrawal pipette and connected via a flexible pipe to the supply channel of the valve and, on the other hand, a connected channel at the opposite end at the end, to a flexible pipe for supplying pressurized inert gas, this channel opening onto an annular groove, provided on the corresponding face of the nozzle and cooperating, also in the operating position, with transfer channels opening into the neck of the bottle or the like.

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which: FIG. a side elevational sectional view of the device for dispensing a liquid to the glass from a bottle according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device; Figure 3 is a partial sectional view, on a larger scale, showing the seal between the pipette and the withdrawal assembly; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the sliding assembly of the draw assembly; Figure 5 is a plan view of the draw assembly, and Figure 6 is a sectional view of the draw assembly at the position holding means.

FIG. 1 of the appended drawings represents, by way of example, a device for dispensing a liquid to the glass from a bottle 1, in particular wine, which essentially consists of an isolated box 2, for receiving at least one wine bottle 1, comprising a dispensing tap 3 and a bottle support 1, by a means 5 of air conditioning of the box 2 and a set of 6 withdrawal connected to the bottle 1, the valve 3 and a reserve of pressurized inert gas 7. This extraction assembly 6 comprises an independent withdrawal pipette 9, to be inserted into the neck of the bottle 1 or the like and being in the form of a tubular element 9 ', one end of which is immersed in the bottle 1 and the other end of which is housed in a tight fitting nozzle 9 "on the neck of the bottle 1 or similar.

In known manner, the withdrawal assembly 6 further comprises an expander 8 for reducing the pressure of inert gas conveyed into the bottle 1. Furthermore, the bottle support 1 is advantageously provided in said well 2, as 1, and the withdrawal assembly 6 is connected to the tap 3 and to the pressurized gas reserve 7, via flexible pipes. It is also possible, according to another embodiment of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawings, to secure the support 4 of the bottle 1 with the door 2 'of the box 2.

According to the invention, the device for dispensing a liquid to the glass from a bottle 1, in particular wine is characterized in that the tip 9 "waterproof mounting is applied in a sealed manner against all 6, which is provided with a connector 10 housed in the withdrawal assembly 6, this connector 10 having, moreover, on the one hand, a central bore 11 aligned, in the operating position, with the tubular element 9 'of the withdrawal pipette 9 and connected via a flexible pipe to the supply channel of the valve 3 and, secondly, a channel 12 connected at the end opposite the nozzle 9 " to a flexible conduit for supplying pressurized inert gas, this channel 12 opening on an annular groove 13, provided on the corresponding face of the nozzle 9 "and cooperating, also in the operating position, with transfer channels 14 opening into the neck of the bottle or the like.

The tip 9 "sealingly mounted on the neck of the bottle 1 or the like and sealingly applied against the withdrawal assembly 6 advantageously has a lower insertion part in the neck of the bottle 1 or the like of slightly smaller diameter. to that of this neck, this lower part being delimited, in the direction of the assembly 6 for withdrawal by a shoulder, which is provided with a resilient sealing gasket 91 "on its face resting on the neck of the bottle 1 or similar. The lower part of the connector 10 is provided with two elastic annular seals 93 "and 94" respectively surrounding the passage between the tubular element 9 'and the corresponding central bore 11 of the connector 10 of the withdrawal assembly 6 and the annular groove 13 of the nozzle 9 ".

Thus, by prior positioning of the pipette 9 on the neck of the bottle 1 with insertion of the lower part of its tip 9 "in said neck, it is sufficient to press the underside of the connector 10 against said pipette 9 to achieve a sealing connection between the withdrawal assembly 6 and the bottle 1. It follows that, by delivering a volume of inert gas under pressure through the channel 12, the annular groove 13 and the transfer channels 14, the liquid contained in the bottle is subjected to the pressure of this inert gas exerted on its free surface, so that said liquid is no longer in contact with any oxidants, in particular oxygen from the air. consecutive opening of the valve 3 will have the effect of releasing the pressure established in the bottle and allow the flow of liquid through the tubular element 9 'of the pipette 9 and the central bore 11 to the dispensing orifice of said tap 3.

According to one characteristic of the invention, and as shown more particularly in FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings, the withdrawal assembly 6 is advantageously displaceably mounted on a support 15 integral with the caisson 2 or the door 2 'of said caisson 2. and is provided, on the one hand, with a guiding means 16 on said support 15 and, on the other hand, with a means 17 for holding and locking in position the withdrawal assembly 6 on the pipette 9 in the operating position or in the extraction or insertion position of a bottle or the like.

The support 15 is advantageously made in the form of a vertical polygonal profiled rail, whose edges cooperate with the edges of the withdrawal assembly 6, and the guiding means 16 is in the form of a vertical axis housed in the rail vertical polygonal profile and extending parallel to the sides of the latter, this vertical axis 16 cooperating with a guide sleeve 18 provided in the assembly 6 of withdrawal. Thus, the withdrawal assembly 6 is perfectly maintained and guided in vertical displacement, without possibility of pivoting about the vertical axis forming the guide means 16, so that the assembly 6 is always centrally above of the bottle 1 or the like. The guide sleeve 18 is advantageously a ball bushing fixed in the withdrawal assembly 6, which is in the form of a block further provided with a housing 19 for the connector 10.

The housing 19 of the connector 10 is preferably constituted by a through bore extending parallel to the guide bushing 18 and provided at its upper end with a shoulder 19 'of support for a compression spring 20 cooperating at its opposite end with a shoulder 10 'of the connector 10, the displacement in the housing 19 is limited by at least one orthogonal pin 21 fixed in the shoulder 10' of the connector 10 and passing through a vertical oblong groove 22 provided in the withdrawal assembly 6 ( Figure 6).

Thus, the connector 10 can be moved in its housing 19, against the action of the compression spring 20, in a limited manner. As a result, during the application of the withdrawal assembly 6 on the nozzle 9 "tight mounting of the pipette 9 on the neck of the bottle 1, the pressure exerted on said pipette 9 will result in a displacement of the connector 10 in the housing 19, by reaction, so that while the assembly 6 will descend to the operating position on the bottle or the like provided with the pipette 9 by compressing the spring 20, the end of the connector 10 opposite the pipette 9, which is flush with the upper surface of the withdrawal assembly 6 at the beginning of the displacement of the assembly 6, will progressively project on the latter, until the top abutment of the pin 21 in the groove 22.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the connector 10 is provided, close to its upper end projecting on the upper face of the assembly 6 of withdrawal in the operating position of said assembly 6, a visual marking 10 "in form of a circular groove or a circular mark in color, the distance between this marking and the upper face of the connector being equal to the maximum stroke of the orthogonal pin 21 of the shoulder 10 'of the connector 10 in the vertical oblong groove 22 of the withdrawal assembly 6. Thus, the user can consider that, taking into account the calibration of the spring 20 and the stroke performed by the connector 10, a sufficient pressure is exerted on the pipette 9 to ensure a good seal and avoid any risk of leakage of inert gas and therefore any risk of oxidation of the contents of the bottle 1 or the like.

The means 17 for holding and locking in position the withdrawal assembly 6 on the pipette 9, in the service position or in the extraction or insertion position of a bottle or the like, is in the form of a pawl 23, pivotally mounted on the assembly 6, loaded by a spring 24 and latching with a rack 25 provided on the corresponding side of the vertical polygonal profile rail forming the guide means 16, said pawl 23 cooperating, on the opposite side to its detent tooth, with an operating lever 26, also pivotally mounted on the withdrawal assembly 6 (FIG. and 6).

Thus, a pivoting of the operating lever 26 upwards (FIGS. 4 and 6), by traction by means of a finger, will result in a pivoting of the pawl 23 around its axis of articulation, against the action of the spring 24, and the disengagement of its ratchet tooth from the rack 25. It follows a possibility of vertical displacement of the assembly 6 withdrawal, in particular for extraction or insertion of a bottle 1 or the like . To make a downward movement of the assembly 6, it suffices, in a known manner, to exert a thrust on the upper face of the latter, the pawl 23 effecting a locking in position as soon as the load is removed.

After placing a new bottle provided with the pipette 9, simply press the withdrawal assembly 6 to lower it on the pipette 9 in place on the bottle 1 or the like. During the downward movement, the pawl 23 continually monitors the position of the assembly 6 and maintains the latter in position, as soon as the support force is removed. At the arrival on the tip 9 "of the pipette 9, the force applied to the assembly 6 is entirely transmitted by the connector 10 on said tip 9" and the crush resistance of the latter, with its seals 91 ", 93" and 94 ", causes the compression of the spring 20 and the displacement of the connector 10 in the housing 19, upwards, until the visual marking 10" appears at the edge of the upper face of the assembly 6. The pressure can then be released, the pawl 23 of the means 17 for holding and locking in position of the withdrawal assembly 6 automatically locking the latter in its operating position.

The force of the spring 20 is of course calculated to allow in all circumstances to apply on the pipette 9 a sufficient pressure to achieve sealing at all the passage connections between the tip 9 "of the pipette and the connector 10 on the one hand and, on the other hand, between the lower part of the nozzle 9 "and the neck of the bottle 1 or the like, when the visual marking 10" is visible. The unlocking of the assembly 6 for a replacement of bottle 1 or the like is carried out as described above, the pawl 23 simply being pivoted out of contact with the rack 25 to allow the vertical movement, then released in high position of the set 6.

In the case of assembly of the assembly 6 in the door 2 'of the box 2, the operation remains identical to that described above and the constitution of the elements is also identical.

According to another characteristic of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the dispensing device may be provided with means for controlling the cut-off and opening of the supply of inert gas under pressure, integrated in the circuit of the invention. supply of inert gas under pressure, and which is actuated by a push button or the like integrated in the door 2 'of the box 2 or in the front face or the upper face of the assembly 6 of withdrawal. Thus, it is possible to easily and simply open and cut the inlet of pressurized inert gas at each maneuver of the withdrawal assembly 6 and to maintain the cut-off as long as the assembly 6 is in its high retracted position. .

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to provide a device for dispensing a liquid to the glass from a bottle, in particular wine to ensure, consistently, the service of the liquid, especially wine at the appropriate temperature and by preserving the organoleptic characteristics of said wine, exactly the same as they were when opening the bottle. The invention is therefore particularly interesting for private use by users of quality wine and wishing to enjoy it in moderation, so possibly in the context of several tastings spread over time, for example over several days. Thus, a bottle can be started during a meal and the unconsumed wine remaining in said bottle can be consumed, having exactly the same characteristics and under exactly the same conditions, several days after opening the bottle.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing a liquid to the glass from a bottle (1) or the like, in particular wine, consisting essentially of an isolated box (2) for receiving at least one bottle of wine (1 ) or the like, comprising a dispensing tap (3) and a bottle support (4), by a means (5) for conditioning the box (2) and by a withdrawal assembly (6) connected to the bottle (1) or the like, at the tap (3) and at a supply of pressurized inert gas (7), this withdrawal assembly (6) comprising an independent withdrawal pipette (9) to be inserted into the neck of the bottle (1). or the like, in the form of a tubular element (9 '), one end of which is immersed in the bottle (1) and the other end of which is housed in a tight fitting end-piece (9 ") on the neck of the bottle. the bottle (1) or the like, characterized in that the tight fitting end piece (9 ") is sealingly applied against the assembly (6 ), which is provided with a connector (10) housed in the assembly (6) of withdrawal, this connector (10) having, moreover, on the one hand, a central bore (1 1) aligned, in operating position, with the tubular element (9 ') of the draw-off pipette (9) and connected via a flexible pipe to the supply channel of the tap (3) and, on the other hand, a channel (12) connected, at the end opposite the nozzle (9 "), to a flexible conduit for supplying pressurized inert gas, this channel (12) opening on an annular groove (13) provided on the corresponding face of the nozzle (9 ") and cooperating, also in the operating position, with transfer channels (14) opening into the neck of the bottle or the like.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip (9 ") sealingly mounted on the neck of the bottle (1) or the like and sealing against the assembly (6) withdrawal has a lower insertion part in the neck of the bottle (1) or similar diameter slightly smaller than that of this neck, this lower portion being delimited, towards the assembly (6) for withdrawal by a shoulder, which is provided an elastic seal (91 ") on its side resting on the neck of the bottle (1) or the like.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lower part of the connector (10) is provided with two elastic ring seals (93 ") and (94") surrounding respectively the passage between the tubular element (9 ') and the corresponding central bore (11) of the connector (10) of the assembly (6) for withdrawal and the annular groove (13) of the nozzle (9 ").

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly (6) for withdrawal is movably mounted on a support

(15) integral with the box (2) or the door (2 ') of said box (2) and is provided, on the one hand, with a guide means (16) on said support (15), on the other hand part, means (17) for holding and locking in position of the withdrawal assembly (6) on the pipette (9), in the operating position or in the extraction or insertion position of a bottle or the like.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the support (15) is formed as a vertical polygonal profiled rail, whose edges cooperate with the edges of the assembly (6) for withdrawal, and the means guide (16) is in the form of a vertical axis housed in the vertical polygonal profiled rail and extending parallel to the sides of the latter, this vertical axis (16) cooperating with a guide sleeve (18) provided in FIG. assembly (6) of withdrawal.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide sleeve (18) is a ball bushing fixed in the assembly (6) of withdrawal, which is in the form of a block provided, in addition, a housing (19) for the connector (10).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the housing (19) of the connector (10) is constituted by a through bore extending parallel to the guide sleeve (18) and provided at its upper end with a shoulder (19 ') of support for a compression spring (20) cooperating at its opposite end with a shoulder (10') of the connector (10), the displacement in the housing (19) is limited by at least one pin orthogonal (21) fixed in the shoulder (10 ') of the connector (10) and passing through a vertical oblong groove (22) provided in the assembly (6) for withdrawal.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 7, characterized in that the connector (10) is provided, near its upper end projecting from the upper face of the assembly (6) for withdrawal by operating position of said assembly (6), a visual marking (10 ") in the form of a circular groove or a colored circular mark, the distance between this marking and the upper face of the connector being equal to the race maximum of the orthogonal pin (21) of the shoulder (10 ') of the connector (10) in the vertical oblong groove (22) of the withdrawal assembly (6).

9. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the means (17) for holding and locking in position of the assembly (6) for drawing off the pipette (9), in the operating position or in the position of extraction or insertion of a bottle or the like, is in the form of a pawl (23) pivotally mounted on the assembly (6), loaded by a spring (24) and snapped with a rack ( 25) provided on the corresponding side of the vertical polygonal profiled rail forming the guide means (16), said pawl (23) cooperating, on the side opposite to its detent tooth, with an operating lever (26), also mounted to pivoting on the assembly (6) of withdrawal.

10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a control means for cutting and opening the supply of inert gas under pressure, integrated in the inert gas supply system under pressure, and which is actuated by a pushbutton or the like integrated in the door (2 ') of the box (2) or in the front face or the upper face of the assembly (6) of withdrawal.