WO2010078377A1 - Liquid preserver and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for preserving the liquid contents of a bottle by physically separating the liquid from the air with an air-impermeable material that floats on the liquid. The apparatus includes a disk (20) made of a material that is sufficiently flexible that it can be reconfigured from a substantially planar state to a compact state whereby it can be inserted through a reduced-diameter opening, yet has sufficiently elasticity to return to its planar state inside the container. The size and shape of the disk substantially matches a horizontal cross-section of the internal volume of the bottle in an upright orientation. And the density of the disk is less than the density of the liquid so that the disk floats, and the disk does not adversely react with the liquid. The apparatus also includes a plunger for pushing the disk into the bottle or other container.

Description

LIQUID PRESERVER AND METHOD

I claim the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/141 ,043, filed December 29, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/174,341 , filed April 30, 2009, both of which are hereby incorporated into this document in their entirety.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for preserving the liquid contents of a partially-filled container. Background

Many liquids are sold in containers that protect the contents from exposure to air, which would otherwise cause the contents to spoil. Once opened, however, the contents generally are exposed to air and typically must be consumed within a short time. Wine bottles, for example, are not only used to store wine before it is sold and consumed, but also to keep the remaining wine in partially-emptied bottles. The full contents of a bottle of wine often are not consumed in one day, and the remainder is stored in the original bottle. Wine remaining in a bottle has the tendency to lose its freshness and quality from exposure to air after the bottle is opened. To preserve wine remaining in open bottles, various techniques have been employed, including pumping the air out of the bottle behind a stopper and injecting an inert gas into the bottle.

Summary

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for preserving the liquid contents of a partially-filled bottle. Rather than removing the air, which is difficult to do at best, or adding an inert gas, neither of which provides entirely satisfactory results, the present invention seeks to physically separate the liquid from the air with an air-impermeable material that floats on the liquid. An exemplary device is a disk made of a material that is sufficiently flexible that it can be reconfigured from a substantially planar state to a compact state whereby it can be inserted through a reduced-diameter opening, yet has sufficiently elasticity to return to its planar state inside the container. The size and shape of the disk generally matches a horizontal cross-section of the internal volume of the bottle in an upright orientation. And the density of the disk is less than the density of the liquid with which the disk is intended to be used, so that the disk floats. The disk material also does not adversely react with the liquid. An exemplary means for inserting the disk into a bottle or other container also is provided.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this embodiment being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top view of a circular liquid-preserving disk provided in accordance with the invention in an unrolled first state.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the circular disk of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a top view of the circular disk of FIG. 1 in a compact rolled second state.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the circular disk of FIG. 1 in the rolled second state. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an upright wine bottle with the circular disk of FIG. 1 , in the rolled second state, inserted in the opening of the bottle.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the upright wine bottle with the circular disk of FIG. 5, in the unrolled first state. FIG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a tubular applicator provided in accordance with the present invention to facilitate inserting the disk into a bottle. FIG. 9 is a top view of the tubular applicator of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of an upright wine bottle and the applicator with the circular disk in the rolled second state, inserted in the opening of the bottle. FIG. 1 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an upright wine bottle and the applicator with the circular disk in the unrolled first state, inside the bottle. FIG. 12 is a top view of the circular disk, in the rolled second state, inside of the applicator, which is inserted into the opening of the bottle.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of a horizontal wine bottle with the circular disk, in the unrolled first state, inside the bottle. FIG. 14 illustrates a disk insertion system that employs a plunger.

FIG. 15 illustrates a curling-iron style grabber for inserting a disk. FIG. 16 illustrates a spring-loaded grabber for temporarily holding and inserting a disk.

FIG. 17 illustrates a disk insertion system with a plunger having an integral stopper.

FIG. 18 illustrates another disk insertion system with a plunger and a transverse disk insertion device.

FIG. 19 illustrates another disk insertion system with a pointed plunger. FIG. 20 illustrates another disk insertion system that uses rotatable forks to engage and curl a disk for insertion.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view that illustrates another exemplary liquid- preserving disk in a container.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional top view of the container and disk of FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the container and disk of FIG. 21.

FIGS. 24-29 are top views of six different embodiments of the disk provided by the invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, wherein reference numerals are used to designate similar elements in several figures, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention provides a flexible material in the shape of a circular disk 20 that can be inserted into a bottle or other container to cover the surface of wine or other liquid inside the container, thereby reducing exposure of the liquid to air by covering a substantial portion of or all of the surface of the liquid. The disk shown in each Figure is exemplary in nature and in no way is intended to limit the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the disk may be circular, rectangular, triangular, etc., as long as its shape corresponds to the interior cross-section shape of the container.

The disk 20 shown in FIG. 1 is in an unrolled, generally planar first state. The disk is made of a flexible material, such that it may be bent, folded, rolled, or the like, into a compact second state, which makes it easier to insert into a container, such as wine bottle, with an opening that is smaller than the disk in its planar first state. As seen in FIG. 2, the circular disk has a thickness that is substantially less than its diameter, and is made of a material which allows the disk to be folded or rolled, thereby reducing its effective cross-sectional diameter so that it can be inserted into the container. For a wine bottle, the disk 20 can be rolled into a compact tubular shape that will pass through the opening of the bottle. The material contains enough elasticity to unbend, unfold or unroll back into the generally planar first state on its own inside the container to cover the surface of the liquid. The disk material can include a plastic, for example, or other air- impermeable solid or laminate sheet material. Furthermore, the material selected for the disk 20 will not have an adverse reaction to the liquid within the container. An adverse reaction may include corrosion or disintegration or other chemical or catalytic reaction in the liquid. Additionally, the disk material has a density that is less than that of the liquid for which it is intended to be used so that it will float on the surface of the liquid and maintain contact with the surface of the liquid as liquid is poured out of the container.

Consequently, the disk may be formed as a laminate with one or more sealed pockets of air or other lightweight substance to help the disk float or to return to its substantially flat shape after it is inserted. The lightweight substance is lighter than the air-impermeable disk material, thereby reducing the density of the disk compared to a disk without the pockets. Several examples are shown in FIGS. 24-29. Each disk 20 includes one or more pockets 21 in various shapes. The disk 20a in FIG. 24 includes three equally-spaced, radially-extending pockets 21 a that have a simple elongated shape, such as oval, and are relatively large. The disk 20b in FIG. 25 has a single circular pocket 21 b that encompasses substantially the entire area of the disk and is tack welded in places and sealed along the edge. The disk 20c in FIG. 26 includes three equally-spaced, circumferentially-extending pockets 21 c. The disk 2Od in FIG. 27 just has a center circular pocket 21 d. In FIG. 28, the disk 2Oe has a plurality of small pockets 21 e arrayed toward the edge of the disk 2Oe. These relatively small pockets are have a radially-extending shape but alternatively could be provided with a circumferentially-extending shape. Finally, the disk 2Of shown in FIG. 29 has a plurality of medium-size to relatively small pockets 21 f arranged randomly or in a pattern. Further variations also are contemplated.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the circular disk 20 in the rolled tubular second state exemplifies a reduction in the cross-sectional diameter such that the cross-sectional diameter is less than the diameter of an opening of the bottle 22 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7). It is not necessary to roll the disk as tightly as possible. The reduction in size simply must be sufficient to allow the disk to be inserted into the opening of the container, e.g., in its second state the disk 20 must be smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the bottle 22 at the opening. Thus, the disk only needs to be rolled to a diameter that is less than the diameter of the opening in the container.

Figure 5 illustrates the circular disk 20, in the rolled tubular second state, inserted into the opening of a bottle 22, such as a wine bottle. The bottle contains liquid 24 that remains after a portion of the liquid has been partly dispensed. FIG. 6 illustrates the circular disk in its unrolled generally second state, after it has been inserted into the bottle. After the disk's insertion into the bottle, past the narrower opening the elasticity of the material automatically returns the disk to the unrolled first state from the rolled second state. Upon unrolling, the disk floats on the liquid because of its lower density. The diameter of the disk generally corresponds to a horizontal cross-section of the volume inside an upright bottle. A disk with a different shape can be used in the bottles or other containers with different cross-sectional shapes. The disk can be smaller than the inner diameter of the bottle, but the smaller the disk is the more liquid that is exposed to the air. Similarly, a disk that is larger than the inner diameter of the bottle, the more the disk or portions thereof will be supported against the sides of the container away from the surface of the liquid. A tubular applicator 26 can be used to facilitate inserting the disk 20 into the bottle 22, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Specifically, the tubular applicator is used to insert the circular disk (in the rolled second state) into the bottle (through the opening of the bottle). The applicator has an external size that is less than the size of the opening in the bottle. The disk can be inserted in its rolled second state into the applicator and then pushed into the bottle. The disk also can be provided already inserted into the applicator. The applicator may be made of a material, such as rubber, plastic or paper, with the ability to be easily inserted into and removed from the opening of the bottle. The applicator material may have elastic characteristics that allow the applicator to fit into a multitude of different sized bottle openings.

As mentioned above, referring now to FIGS. 10 and 1 1 , the applicator 26 can be inserted into the opening of the bottle 22 and then the rolled circular disk inserted into the applicator. The circular disk is then pushed through the applicator and into the bottle. At this point, the circular disk unrolls into the generally planar first state and floats on top of the liquid (FIG. 1 1 ). Again, the surface area of the disk preferably covers substantially all of the air-exposed surface of the liquid. The limited exposure to air significantly reduces oxidation and other reactions between the air and the liquid. Alternatively, the disk 20 may be pre-packaged, in the rolled second state, within the applicator 26. The user would insert the pre-packaged circular disk and applicator into the opening of the bottle 22 and push the circular disk through the applicator into the bottle, whereupon the circular disk automatically unrolls and floats on top of the liquid 24. The applicator remains lodged in the opening of the bottle and may be used to facilitate pouring out the liquid. Once finished, the applicator can be removed and the opening of the bottle sealed with a cork or other stopper or cap.

When it is time to remove all or part of the remaining contents of the bottle 22, the cork or stopper can be removed, and the contents poured out without removing the disk 20. As shown in FIG. 13, the unrolled circular disk floats on top of the liquid in the bottle, and even when the bottle is tilted at an angle for pouring out liquid, the disk continues to float on top of the liquid, allowing the liquid to flow out from underneath the disk.

A typical wine bottle has an internal volume of about 750 milliliters (ml_), an opening with a diameter of about 5-10 millimeters (mm) and a larger diameter beyond the neck of the bottle. The disk has a diameter that corresponds to the internal diameter of the wine bottle.

Although ideally suited for use with wine and wine bottles, the disk also can be used to protect paint, oils, soda, medicines, or other liquid prone to spoiling or degrading upon exposure to air. If made of opaque material, the disk also can protect against exposure to light.

The invention also provides several more ways to insert the preserver disk into a bottle or other container. In FIG. 14, the disk is rolled or curled into a cone shape and inserted into a tube. The disk can be provided already packaged in the tube so that the end user does not have to touch it and contaminate the liquid to be preserved. A plunger with a T-shape handle can be used to push the cone out of the tube point-first and into the bottle or other container. The cone shape allows the plunger to push the preserver down the neck of a bottle without clipping or grabbing. The disk can have a radial slit to facilitate rolling the disk into a cone shape before it is inserted into the tube. Another way to insert the preserver into a bottle or other container is shown in FIG. 15. This concept employs a curling-iron style grabber with a trigger adjacent the handle to open the mouth of the device to grasp a preserver disk. The insertion device has a round shaft extending from the trigger handle and the mouth of the device is formed by a section that is hingedly mounted to the shaft to open toward a distal end of the shaft. The hinged section has a radius of curvature that approximates the curvature of the shaft. This curvature encourages the preserver disk to roll in half when it is grasped for insertion The preserver can be packaged with a folded sleeve for the user to hold while it is grabbed or it can be grabbed from a pre-rolled configuration in a tube. The tube can have a tear- away top that can be removed to expose the preserver.

Yet another device for inserting a preserver is shown in FIG. 16. This device includes a spring-biased grabber-arm that extends generally parallel to a main shaft. Again the preserver can be packaged in a folded sleeve to maintain its cleanliness, if not sterility, while it is being grabbed. The grabber-arm is rotatable about the main shaft, and is spaced from the surface of the shaft to receive the preserver disk therebetween as the grabber arm is rotated. The main shaft can include a slot for receiving a leading edge of the preserver to hold it while the remainder of the preserver is wrapped around the main shaft as the grabber-arm is rotated.

Still another way to insert the preserver is shown in FIG. 17. In this technique, the preserver is provided inside a protective case or is placed into the protective case just prior to insertion. The case has a donut-shape with a central opening. The central opening is aligned with the top of a bottle and a plunger inserted through the opening pushes the preserver into the bottle. The plunger in this example includes an integral stopper to further seal the container. Once the preserver is inserted into the bottle, the plunger can be left in place and the donut- shaped protective case can be removed over the stopper.

Yet another preserver insertion system is shown in FIG. 18. This system includes a T-handled plunger similar to that shown in FIG. 14. This system also includes an alignment device for aligning the preserver over the opening in the bottle. The alignment device includes a slot in one side for inserting a preserver, which can have a peel-away or tear-away tab attached thereto for handling. The preserver is inserted and then the plunger is pushed through a central opening to push the preserver into the bottle.

Another variation on the insertion system is shown in FIG. 19. In this embodiment, the preserver has a target printed on a center and again a peal- away or tear-away tab for handling. The plunger in this case has a small point on the tip to assist tearing away the handling tab as the preserver is pushed into the bottle.

FIG. 20 illustrates another insertion device with a pair of forks that rotate about parallel axes. The forks are rotatable between a first position for inserting a preserver in its generally planar configuration and a second position relatively rotated from the first position to roll or curl the preserver so that it wraps around the prongs or tines of the forks. Another way of packaging the preserver before use also is shown. The preserver can be packaged in stacks and die-cut with a wax paper backing. The wax paper can be removed before inserting the preserver into a bottle.

As mentioned above, the disk may help to preserve not just wine, but also carbonated beverages, such as cola or other sodas. To create a carbonated beverage, carbon dioxide gas is added to a liquid in a container. The carbon dioxide gas is under pressure, typically about 3 atmospheres. Once the container for a carbonated beverage is opened, the pressure on the liquid-gas solution is reduced and some of the gas comes out of solution and mixes with the air. Over time, more and more of the carbon dioxide comes out of solution and the liquid becomes less carbonated, sometimes such a liquid is referred to as "going flat." It is commonly believed that the only way to keep an opened container of a carbonated beverage from going flat is to increase the pressure in the container to keep the carbon dioxide from coming out of solution. Contrary to conventional wisdom, I have found that a disk covering the surface of the carbonated liquid helps to keep the carbon dioxide in solution and extend the amount of time before the liquid becomes unsatisfactorily flat.

As mentioned above, with a disk that is larger than the inner diameter of the bottle, the more the disk or portions thereof will be supported against the sides of the container away from the surface of the liquid. FIGS. 21 -23 illustrate this situation. A disk 100 floats on the surface of a liquid 102 in a container 104, such as a bottle, and a region 106 at the edge of the disk extends up the side 1 14 of the container. Thus the disk separates the air in the container from the liquid and helps to keep the liquid fresher. As with all uses of the disk, a sufficient amount of liquid must be removed from the bottle or other container so that the disk has room to expand to its generally planar state after it is inserted. In the illustrated embodiment with the larger disk 100, the edge region 106 folds or bunches up against the side 1 14 of the container 104. The disk 100 can be formed of multiple layers with fewer layers in the edge region 106 or the disk 100 can be thinner, and thereby more flexible, in the edge regions to better fold and engage the sides 1 14 of the container 104. This also may help the main portion of the disk 100 to remain in contact with the liquid 102 and let the bunching occur in the edge region 106. Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain illustrated embodiments, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described integers (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such integers are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any integer which performs the specified function (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been described above with respect to only one of several illustrated embodiments, such a feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiment, as maybe desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

ClaimsI claim:

1. A device for preserving a liquid in a container by minimizing its exposure to air, comprising: a disk (20); wherein the size and shape of the disk substantially matches a horizontal cross section of the internal volume of the container in an upright orientation; wherein the density of the disk is less than the density of the liquid with which the disk is intended to be used; and wherein the disk does not adversely react with the liquid.

2. A device as set forth in any other claim, wherein the material is a plastic.

3. A device as set forth in any other claim, wherein the disk is made of a material that is sufficiently flexible that the disk can be reconfigured from a substantially planar state and inserted through a reduced-diameter opening, and sufficiently elastic to return to its planar state

4. A device as set forth in any other claim, wherein the disk can be rolled into a tubular shape; and when released the disk unrolls, returning to a planar state.

5. A device as set forth in any other claim, wherein the disk is substantially flat.

6. A device as set forth in any other claim, wherein the diameter of the disk is substantially greater than the thickness of the disk.

7. A device as set forth in any other claim, wherein the disk includes a pocket of a lightweight material.

8. A method of preserving a liquid in a container by minimizing its exposure to air, comprising the steps of: providing a flexible disk; rolling the disk into a tubular shape; and inserting the rolled disk into the opening of the bottle until the disk is fully inserted into the bottle; wherein the disk unrolls inside of the bottle, covering substantially all of the surface of the liquid within the bottle when the bottle is in an upright orientation.

9. A method as set forth in claim 8, with the additional step of inserting an applicator into the opening of the bottle to receive the rolled disk and to aid in fully inserting the rolled disk into the bottle.

10. A system comprising a device as set forth in any of claims 1 -7 and an applicator, wherein: the applicator has a substantially tubular shape; and the disk is inside of the applicator; wherein the applicator is inserted into the opening of a container; wherein the rolled disk is pushed through the applicator into the container; wherein once inside the container, the disk unrolls, and covers substantially all of the surface of the liquid within the container, when the container is in an upright orientation.

1 1 . A device for inserting a disk as set forth in any of claims 1 -7, comprising a hand-held member for pushing a disk into a container.