wine dispensing system

Abstract

Wine dispensing system with a container (1) for holding wine and a supply line (5) connected to a tap (6), characterized in that it comprises: - one nitrogen cylinder (2), - a connecting line (3) that connects the nitrogen cylinder (2) to the wine container (1), - a cooler (7) through which the supply line (5) is routed, - a siphon (9) to maintain pressure in the supply line (5) at the opening of the tap (6).

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a wine dispensing system that makes it possible to completely eliminate the waste generated during the sale of wine in the form of cartons, bottles, caps, plastics and all other components related to the packaging and character of the wine, apart from the liquid itself. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Selling wine at a retail outlet generates a significant amount of waste, given the number of different wines handled. In addition to the storage volume created by open bottles for wine sales by the glass, the bottles kept in stock for each of the brands offered must also be considered. In addition to the storage problems caused by the large number of bottles, there is also the amount of waste generated by empty bottles, cartons, caps, and other components in addition to the wine itself.

[0003] One solution introduced to avoid this problem is the introduction of the so-called "bag in box." This container consists of an airtight plastic or aluminum bag housed in a cardboard box, to which a plastic tap protrudes from a hole in the box. When the tap is pressed to dispense wine, the bag is compressed, preventing air from coming into contact with the wine and causing it to oxidize.

[0004] However, when the moment comes when no more wine flows when the tap is pressed and the container can be considered empty, it will be clear that there is still a residual amount of wine in the bag. This is due to the fact that the tap is located at a height above the bottom of the container, so that the amount of wine remaining below the tap is always inaccessible to flow out through the tap.

[0005] Document ES 1 090 981 U discloses a wine dispensing device that solves the problem of disposing of the residual wine left in the classic "bag-in-box" system. For this purpose, the device features a box with a wedge-shaped bottom, so that the corners of the bag are higher than the tap location in the box opening, while the tap is lower than the bottom of the bag to allow complete emptying.

[0006] However, even with this type of device, there is the problem of disposing of the waste, both the cardboard and the plastic or aluminum bag and the plastic tap, so the only advantage is the size of the container, which is a bag with a much larger volume instead of a bottle. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention completely avoids the above problems and avoids the generation of waste.

[0008] The invention relates to a wine dispensing system comprising a container for holding wine, a supply line connected to a tap, and additionally comprising a nitrogen bottle, a connecting line connecting the nitrogen bottle to the wine container, a cooler through which the supply line is passed, and a siphon for maintaining the pressure at the opening of the tap.

[0009] Once the container is in its designated location ready for use, it is connected to the nitrogen cylinder via the connecting line and to the tap via the supply line.

[0010] In this configuration, when the wine tap is opened, the wine is served in the container at the temperature set in the cooler, which can be adjusted by the user.

[0011] The nitrogen's job is to preserve the wine in the container without any organoleptic changes until it is emptied. In this way, it occupies the space that air would occupy when the container is emptied of liquid.

[0012] The supply line located inside the cooler is long enough so that the wine contained in it can fill a wine glass, and the wine is therefore always delivered at the temperature to which the cooler is set.

[0013] However, to ensure that the temperature of the delivered wine is maintained even when more wine is poured than the length of the supply line in the cooler, the supply line inside the cooler can be in the form of a coil of the desired length. This way, the wine is cooled not only by the volume it occupies in the coil, but also by the cooling process it undergoes from entering the cooler to exiting through the tap, after passing the entire length of the coil.

[0014] Finally, the system may also include a pressure regulator that is inserted into the connecting line to regulate the pressure of the nitrogen in the wine container. DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0015] To complete the present description and to better understand the features of the invention, a series of figures are attached, according to a preferred example of a practical embodiment of the invention, which form an integral part of the said description and in which the following are shown in an illustrative and non-limiting manner: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a schematic representation of the wine dispensing system according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the wine dispensing system according to the invention, in which the tap is attached to an element simulating a wine barrel front. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the wine dispensing system according to the invention, in which the tap is attached to a classic, rod-shaped dispensing device. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the wine dispensing system according to the invention, in which the tap is attached to a wine barrel.

[0016] To facilitate understanding, a list of reference symbols used in the figures is provided below: 1 container. 2 nitrogen bottles. 3 connecting line. 4 pressure regulators. 5 supply line. 6 taps. 7 coolers. 8 spiral. 9 siphon. 10 Front of the barrel. 11 Handle. 12 barrels PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention relates to a wine dispensing system that enables the complete elimination of waste generated during wine sales.

[0018] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the system mainly consists of the following elements.

[0019] First, there is a container (1) that is filled with wine. This container (1) is preferably made of stainless steel and has a large capacity, specifically 19 liters, as it is a standard container type.

[0020] Another element is a nitrogen cylinder (2). This cylinder (2) comprises a connecting line (3) connected to an inlet of the container (1), to which a pressure regulator (4) is attached to control the nitrogen pressure in the wine container (1).

[0021] Nitrogen is used to eliminate the air in the wine container (1) and thus prevent oxidation.

[0022] A third element is a supply line (5) that connects the wine container (1) to a tap (6) through which the wine is poured.

[0023] A fourth element is a cooler (7), which has the task of keeping the wine supplied at a certain temperature.

[0024] To ensure this temperature in the wine coming out of the tap (6), the supply line (5) includes a coil (8) located inside the cooler (7). The coil (8) has a specific length so that the time it takes for the wine to pass through the coil (8) allows the temperature to be transferred from the coil (8) to the wine, allowing it to leave the cooler (7) at the set temperature.

[0025] Another necessary element is a siphon (9), located at the outlet of the cooler (7). The siphon (9) ensures that the wine's outlet pressure always remains constant and does not change when the tap (6) is opened.

[0026] A final element is the aesthetic presentation element of the dispensing system according to the invention. Although this element is technically the least important element of the system, as it is optional, it is also the one that provides the necessary appearance to inspire a consumer's confidence when ordering the wine in question, making it a crucial element.

[0027] As in the Fig. 2 to 4, the dispensing system is presented to customers in three formats.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows how the tap (6) can be accommodated in a barrel front (10) which looks as if the barrel were embedded in a wall, for example.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 shows how the tap (6) can be accommodated in a typical rod-shaped dispensing device (11) connected to the container (1).

[0030] Fig.Figure 4 shows how the tap (6) can be housed inside a barrel (12), giving the impression that the barrel (12) is filled with wine. In this case, the interior of the barrel (12) is only intended to house some of the above-mentioned elements, starting from only the supply line (5), leaving the rest of the system components in an external area, and accommodating all the components inside the barrel, from the wine container (1) to the cooler (7), the siphon (9) or even the nitrogen cylinder (2). QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] ES 1 090 981 U

[0005]

Claims

[1] Wine dispensing system comprising a container (1) for holding wine and a supply line (5) connected to a tap (6), characterized by that it includes: - a nitrogen bottle (2), - a connecting line (3) connecting the nitrogen bottle (2) to the wine container (1), - a cooler (7) through which the supply line (5) is led, - a siphon (9) to maintain the pressure in the supply line (5) at the opening of the tap (6). [2] Wine dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the supply line (5) comprises a spiral (8) located inside the cooler (7). [3] Wine dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the connecting line (3) comprises a pressure regulator (4) for the nitrogen in the container (1).

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