Apparatus for aerating liquids
AssigneeBronardi Inc.
InventorHugo Magi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides an improved structure for aerating potable liquids used in the preparation of drinks. The structure includes a movable part which provides access for a container; a pneumatic seal arrangement engageable with the container, a traveller arranged to allow the movable part to move vertically; and a control system for supplying compressed carbon dioxide to the seal and to the liquid in the container.
Claims18
Structure for aerating a potable liquid in a container such as a bottle and the like, the structure comprising:
- a rear portion;
- a movable front portion;
- traveller means coupling the front portion to the rear portion for vertical movement of the front portion between a lowered position for accommodating the container in the structure during aeration, and an elevated position providing access into the structure to place the container in the structure before aeration and to remove the container after aeration;
- a connector assembly coupled to the front portion for engaging the container and operable by pneumatic pressure to seal the container during aeration;
- tubing means for conveying carbon dioxide from a pressurized source to the connector assembly;
- and
- a controller coupled to the tubing means between the pressurized source and the connector means for selectively either directing pressurized carbon dioxide to the connector means with the container in place in the structure to thereby activate the connector assembly to seal the container and to contemporaneously aerate the liquid, or exhausting pressure build up in the connector means and container to permit removal of the container with the aerated liquid.
A connector assembly for use in a structure for aerating a potable liquid in a container, the connector assembly comprising:
- a sealing member having a tubular cylindrical portion defining inner and outer surfaces;
- means retaining the sealing member in position, the retaining means defining an inlet for pressurized carbon dioxide, the inlet being in pneumatic communication with the inner surface of the sealing member for deflecting the cylindrical portion outwards so that said outer surface is forced into sealing engagement with the container;
- a delivery tube coupled to the retaining means, the delivery tube being in pneumatic communication with the inlet to convey carbon dioxide from the inlet into the liquid;
- said retaining means further defining an outlet for carbon dioxide and air from the container after aeration and before removal of the container from the structure.
A controller for use in a structure for aerating potable liquid in a container, the controller being adapted to be located between a source of pressurized carbon dioxide and a connector assembly which is adapted to seal the container when actuated by pneumatic pressure, the controller comprising:
- a control arm projecting outwardly and movable from a first position in which the connector means receives pressurized carbon dioxide, the control arm being moved from the first to the second position by initially pulling the arm outwardly and then sideways;
- means biasing the control arm inwardly towards the first position;
- means adapted to retain the arm in the second position during aeration;
- valve means operable by the control arm in the first position to vent the connector means and container, and operable by the control arm in the second position to pressurize the connector means and container for aerating the liquid.
Structure for use in aerating a potable liquid by feeding pressurized carbon dioxide into the liquid, the structure comprising:
- a stationary rear portion;
- a movable front portion coupled to the rear portion for movement vertically between a lowered position for covering a container placed in the structure and containing liquid for aeration, and an elevated position providing access for placing the container in the structure and for removing the container after aeration;
- a connector assembly coupled to the movable front portion for engaging the container to seal the container during aeration, the connector assembly including a sealing member operable by the pressurized carbon dioxide to seal the container;
- a delivery tube coupled to the connector assembly for extending into the liquid during aeration and delivering carbon dioxide to the liquid;
- a controller coupled pneumatically to the connector assembly and adapted to receive pressurized carbon dioxide from a suitable source, the controller being selectively operable either to deliver pressurized carbon dioxide to the connector assembly and hence to the delivery tube for sealing the container and aerating the liquid, or to contain the carbon dioxide from the source and to permit de-pressurization of the container and connector assembly to permit removal of the container after the front portion has been elevated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.