Decanter stopper with a vacuum pressure indicator

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for preserving wine in a decanter. The system comprises a stopper adapted for engaging and airtight sealing the mouth of the decanter; the stopper comprises a valve assembly operable to draw and maintain a pressure differential within the decanter and a pressure indicator operable to indicate vacuum pressure within the vessel. The system further comprises a pump operable to engage the valve assembly and to draw gas from within the decanter to an external atmosphere.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to the systems and methods for preserving wine and more specifically to a decanter stopper having means for drawing and maintaining a vacuum within the decanter and a vacuum pressure indicator. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A decanter is a vessel used for holding the results of decantation where a liquid beverage from another vessel is poured into the decanter and the sedimentary remainder of the liquid is left in the original vessel. Decanters are commonly used to store various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including wines, juices and the like. Decanters come in various shapes and sized and may be ornate and suitable for serving the liquid beverages. A decanter usually comprises a vessel having a spherical body and a narrow, elongated neck. Decanters often come with stoppered lids, which, in addition to preventing accidental spilling of the liquid from the vessel, prevent excessive exposure of the be...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The disclosed systems and methods have several improvements and advantages of the prior art. One such advantage is that the invention provides means for drawing and maintaining vacuum within the decanter and thereby preserving unconsumed wine or other beverages stored in a decanter from deterioration due to oxidation and other chemical reactions. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides means for indicating a decompressurization of the decanter. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that is can be readily manufactured using standard manufacturing processes and using commonly available materials. Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments of the invention.

is that it provides means for indicating a decompressurization of the decanter. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that is can be readily manufactured using standard manufacturing processes and using commonly available materials. Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments of the invention.

Problems solved by technology

Exposure of the wine to air for longer periods, such as six hours or more, however, tends to deteriorate the wine.

In particular, oxygen present in the air contacting the unconsumed wine in the decanter will oxidize the wine, resulting in off-flavors in the unconsumed wine.

Similarly, the quality of non-carbonated soft drinks may deteriorate upon exposure to air due to oxidation or other chemical reactions.

For one, a seal formed by the stopper valve is generally not very stable and prone to failure due to natural and mechanical causes.

For example, the presence of liquid or dust particles on the valve may result in a leaky seal, decompressurization of the bottle, and inadvertent penetration of air into the bottle.

Furthermore, repeated use of the stopper as well as the pressure differential across thereof may result in degradation of its elastic properties.

Should the seal fail due to these or other reasons and allow air to enter the bottle, the wine will deteriorate due to oxidation or other chemical reactions.

The system however provides no suitable means for detecting the failure of the seal and the resulted decompressurization of the bottle.

Such failure, if remained undiscovered, will allow deterioration of the wine to progress undetected.

Another shortcoming of the prior art pump systems is that the provided stoppers are usually configured to only fit the standard-size wine bottles and thus are not suitable for decanters, which typically have much wider neck openings.

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