Pressurized gas source with piercing device and pressure regulator

Abstract

A gas source for pressurising a sparkling beverage container and other beverage containers, for example to re-pressurise the container to maintain the carbonation level of the beverage during storage.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 986,038, filed March 6, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND

[0004] The present invention relates generally to dispensing pressurized gas, such as dispensing pressurized gas to re-pressurize a sparkling wine bottle after pouring wine from the bottle. SUMMARY

[0005] One or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present invention allow a user to dispense a beverage, such as wine, from a bottle or other container. In some cases, liquid can be dispensed from such a bottle one or more times, and a stopper can be engaged with the bottle to seal the interior of the bottle closed after each beverage dispensing. Thus, a beverage can be dispensed from a bottle multiple times while minimizing the impact on the quality of the beverage, and the beverage can be stored for long periods of time between each dispensing. In some embodiments, little or no gas, such as air, that reacts with the beverage can be introduced into or remain in the bottle after the beverage is dispensed from within the bottle. Thus, in some embodiments, a user can dispense wine from a wine bottle, and subsequently purge air from the bottle and seal the bottle to prevent air or other potentially harmful gases or liquids from entering the bottle. In some embodiments, a pressure above ambient pressure can be introduced into and can be maintained in the bottle after dispensing is complete, which can help maintain carbonation levels in a sparkling beverage, and such pressure can be established by introducing pressurized gas through the stopper.

[0006] In one embodiment, a pressurized gas source for providing pressurized gas to a beverage container or other recipient includes a housing having a support for a gas cylinder. The housing can be arranged to be held by a hand, such as having a handle that can be held by a user or that provides assistance for a user's grip. The housing can have a gas outlet mounted thereto, such as a gas outlet that can be mounted at a bottom end of the housing, and the gas outlet can be arranged to provide pressurized gas for delivery to a beverage container or other recipient. For example, the gas outlet can be arranged with a valve such that pressing the housing downward toward a gas port of a gas receiving device, such as a stop on a beverage container, moves a portion of the valve upward and opens the valve to deliver gas. Removing the downward force on the housing can cause the valve to close and stop gas delivery. A regulator can be supported by the housing, and the regulator can be arranged to receive gas at a first pressure from the gas cylinder and provide the gas at a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure to the gas outlet. The regulator can be arranged in a variety of ways, such as having one or more pressure regulation stages, an adjustable output pressure, etc. A piercing lance can be arranged to pierce an outlet of the gas cylinder to release pressurized gas, and the piercing lance can be fixed relative to the regulator. For example, the piercing lance can be attached to a valve body of the regulator. The regulator and piercing lance can be movable relative to both the housing and the gas cylinder to pierce the outlet of the gas cylinder. Thus, the gas cylinder support can be arranged to hold the gas cylinder stationary relative to the housing during movement of the regulator and piercing lance to pierce the outlet of the gas cylinder. Such an arrangement can allow the gas source to accommodate a variety of different sizes and / or shapes of gas cylinders, as the gas cylinder need only be held in a stationary position in the housing for effective and repeatable piercing.

[0007] In one embodiment, the housing includes a lever that is mounted for pivotal movement, and the lever is coupled to move the regulator and piercing lance between a retracted position and a piercing position. For example, the lever can be movable between an open position and a closed position to move the regulator and piercing lance each between a retracted position and a piercing position. In some embodiments, the lever defines an outer surface of the housing, such as an exterior portion of the housing (the lever) that a user can grasp and move to cause the gas cylinder to be pierced and / or released from the gas source. In one embodiment, the lever includes a cam that contacts and moves the regulator and piercing lance from the retracted position to the piercing position. In one example, the regulator can include a follower, such as a rail or other cam follower, that moves in response to movement of the cam attached to the lever. The regulator and piercing lance can be spring biased to move to the retracted position, such as the lever can be operable to move the regulator and piercing lance toward the piercing position, and the spring can be operable to move the regulator and piercing lance toward the retracted position.

[0008] In one embodiment, the housing includes a door that is movable between an open position and a closed position to open and close the cylinder compartment. In some cases, the door can include a cylinder holder so that a user can seat a cylinder in the holder on the door and then close the door to load the cylinder in the housing of the gas supply device. To accommodate different sizes of cylinders, an adapter can receive a lower portion of the cylinder and the adapter and cylinder can be seated in the cylinder holder. The housing can include a latch that holds the door in the closed position, e.g., once the door is in the closed position, the door cannot be moved to the open position unless the latch is released. In some cases, the lever for moving the regulator and blowpipe can be arranged to prevent operating the latch to open the door when the lever is in the closed position. For example, in some cases, the lever defines an outer surface of the housing and the lever covers the latch in the closed position. Thus, a user can have to move the lever to the open position to gain access to the latch so that the door for the cylinder compartment can be opened. This can help ensure that the cylinder in the housing is vented before the door is opened, e.g., movement of the lever will disengage the blowpipe from the cylinder, allowing the cylinder to vent before the door is opened.

[0009] In some embodiments, the support for the cylinder includes a U-shaped plate arranged to receive a portion of the neck of the cylinder and the support can be arranged to counteract the piercing force of the piercing blowpipe during piercing of the cylinder outlet. That is, the support can not only hold the cylinder in the cylinder compartment, but also provide the force needed on the cylinder to counteract the force of the blowpipe during piercing. In some embodiments, the cylinder can have a flange arranged at the neck of the cylinder and the support can be arranged to receive the neck of the cylinder in a manner that the flange is positioned on an upper surface of the support. Receiving the neck and / or flange by the support can properly position the cylinder in a vertical direction, e.g., parallel to the piercing direction, and in a lateral direction, e.g., transverse to the piercing direction. In some cases, the housing includes a cylinder holder arranged for movement between an open position and a closed position and wherein the cylinder holder is arranged to position a portion of the cylinder on the support if moved to the closed position. For example, the cylinder holder can be mounted on the door so that the cylinder holder can receive the cylinder if the door is in the open position and so that the cylinder holder can properly position the cylinder on the support when the door is moved to the closed position.

[0010] In some implementations, the housing has an elongated shape with a top and a bottom, and the gas outlet is located at the bottom of the housing. The support for the gas cylinder can be arranged to support the gas cylinder with the outlet of the gas cylinder located at an uppermost portion of the gas cylinder. That is, the gas cylinder can be oriented vertically with the gas outlet of the gas cylinder located above other portions of the gas cylinder. This allows the gas outlet to be placed above the gas receiving component and dispense gas when the gas cylinder is oriented vertically. This arrangement can be used with a carbon dioxide gas cylinder that can contain carbon dioxide in liquid and gas form. By orienting the gas cylinder vertically, liquid carbon dioxide can be prevented from exiting the gas cylinder during use. In addition to, or alternatively to, orienting the gas cylinder with the gas outlet at an uppermost portion of the gas cylinder during gas dispensing, the gas received from the gas cylinder can be directed or otherwise carried in an upward direction and then downward to the gas outlet of the pressurized gas source. As an example, a conduit that receives gas from the gas cylinder during dispensing can carry the gas upward and then turn downward to the gas outlet of the pressurized gas source. This can help prevent liquid received from the gas cylinder from reaching the gas outlet of the pressurized gas source, which can cause some components, such as a gas outlet valve, to freeze. That is, carbon dioxide is typically contained in a gas cylinder in liquid and gas form. If liquid carbon dioxide is received by the conduit, directing the flow upward and then downward can help prevent the liquid from reaching the downward section of the conduit and, thus, the gas outlet of the pressurized gas source.

[0011] In one implementation, a pressurized gas source includes a housing including a support for a gas cylinder for containing pressurized gas, a piercing lance arranged to pierce an outlet of the gas cylinder to release the pressurized gas, and a gas outlet mounted to the housing fluidly coupled to the piercing lance and arranged to provide the pressurized gas for delivery to a beverage container. A door is movable on the housing between an open position and a closed position to open and close a gas cylinder compartment, and an actuator can be arranged to move the piercing lance and the gas cylinder relative to each other to cause the piercing lance to pierce the outlet of the gas cylinder. The actuator can have a piercing state in which the lance and the cylinder are engaged and a retracted state in which the lance and the cylinder are disengaged. For example, the actuator can include a lever arranged to move the lance and the cylinder relative to each other based on movement of the lever between an open position and a closed position. The door can be prevented from moving from the closed position unless the actuator is in the disengaged state, e.g., in the closed position the gas cylinder compartment can be locked and cannot be moved unless the lever is moved to the open position. In some cases, the lever can define an outer surface of the housing, and in the closed position the lever can cover at least a portion of the door, thereby preventing opening of the door.

[0012] In one embodiment, a gas cylinder includes a body having a storage volume and a neck having a top surface with a pierceable gas outlet. A flange can be secured to the neck, for example, extending radially outward from the neck, and the flange can be arranged to support the gas cylinder so as to pierce the gas outlet. Thus, the flange can receive the force necessary to counteract the piercing force of a blowpipe from a support of a gas supply. The neck can have a cap secured thereto, and the cap can have a sidewall extending around the top surface and defining an interior space, and an upper opening to the interior space. A gasket can be positioned in the interior space, and the gasket can be arranged to form a seal with the top surface and with a piercing element extending into the interior space to pierce the gas outlet.

[0013] In some cases, the flange and cap are made as a single unitary piece, while in other cases, the flange is made in one piece with the body and separate from the cap. In some embodiments, the sidewall of the cap is arranged to extend above the top surface of the neck. For example, the sidewall can be at an upper portion of the cap, and a lower portion of the cap can include an internal thread arranged to engage with an external thread on the neck of the gas cylinder. The gasket can have an upper surface and a lower surface, with an area of the upper surface exposed at the upper opening of the cap. The upper surface of the gasket can be arranged to contact a piercing element received in the upper opening of the cap to pierce the gas outlet of the gas cylinder, and the lower surface is arranged to form a seal with the top surface of the neck. In some embodiments, the cap includes an upper wall having an annular shape extending radially inward from the sidewall and including a radially inner portion defining the upper opening. An uppermost portion of the upper surface of the gasket can be located radially inward of the radially inner portion of the upper wall, for example, such that the uppermost portion is exposed at the upper opening to contact the piercing blowpipe. In some cases, the uppermost portion of the upper surface of the gasket can extend into the upper opening. The interior space of the cap can have a cylindrical shape, and the gasket can have an annular face shape, although other shapes are possible. Contact of the piercing element with the gasket can cause the gasket to change shape and at least partially conform to the shape of the piercing element and the interior space defined by the cap. In some embodiments, the upper opening in the cap is operable to engage with the piercing element and prevent rotation of the gas cylinder relative to the piercing element.

[0014] In one embodiment, a stopper is provided for use with a beverage container having a neck, an opening at the neck to access an interior volume of the container, and a lip on an outer surface of the neck. The stopper can include a stopper body having a sealing surface arranged to contact a portion of the neck around the opening and form a seal, for example to seal the interior space of the bottle from gases or other external environmental conditions. The stopper can include a gas inlet port arranged to receive pressurized gas from a gas outlet of a gas source and deliver the pressurized gas into the interior space of the container. The stopper can be arranged to seal the opening of the container to maintain or otherwise appropriately sustain a pressure in the container above ambient, for example to help maintain a carbonation level of a beverage at an appropriate level. For example, the stopper can include a gas passage extending from the gas inlet port to the gas outlet. The gas passage can extend from a top of the stopper body where the gas inlet port is located to a location adjacent the sealing surface where the gas outlet is located to introduce pressurized gas into the container. A check valve or other one-way valve can be provided in the gas passage to prevent flow from the gas outlet to the inlet. The stopper can also be provided with a vent and / or a pressure indicator, for example to vent pressure above a threshold level, allowing air to be purged from the bottle and indicating pressure in the bottle.

[0015] Various example embodiments of the apparatus are further depicted and described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Aspects of the application are described with reference to various embodiments and to the accompanying drawings, which are:

[0017] Figure 1 A right front perspective view of a gas source in an illustrative embodiment is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 A right front perspective view of a gas source in an illustrative embodiment is shown. Figure 1 A right bottom perspective view of the gas source of

[0019] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the gas source of Figure 1 taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1

[0020] Figure 4 A perspective view of the gas source is shown, with the lever in an open position.

[0021] Figure 5 A perspective view of the gas source is shown, with the lever in an open position and the door and cylinder compartment in an open position.

[0022] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the cylinder in an illustrative embodiment is shown.​

[0023] Figure 7 A perspective view of the gas source is shown with the stem, door, and side portion of the housing removed;

[0024] Figure 8 An enlarged side view of the stem, regulator, and piercing lance is shown with a portion of the housing removed;

[0025] Figure 9 An enlarged rear view of the stem, regulator, and piercing lance is shown with a portion of the housing removed;

[0026] Figure 10 A perspective view of the stopper arranged for use with the gas source to introduce pressure into a container is shown; and

[0027] Figure 11 The stopper of Figure 10 disengaged from the container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Aspects of the application are described below with reference to illustrative implementations; however, it should be understood that the aspects of the application are not limited to the specific implementations described. Accordingly, aspects of the application are not limited to the embodiments described herein. It should also be understood that aspects of the application can be used alone and / or in any suitable combination with each other and, thus, various embodiments are not to be construed as requiring one or more particular combinations of features. Rather, one or more features of the described implementations can be combined with any other suitable features of other implementations. For example, the following implementations of a gas supply device include a regulator and lance that are movable relative to the housing and cylinder and a door of the cylinder compartment that can only be opened after a stem controlling a piercing operation is moved to an open position. These features can be used independently of each other, for example, the feature of the cylinder door can be used in a gas supply device that moves the cylinder relative to the housing for piercing and the feature of the gas supply device can also be used in the cylinder door.

[0029] Figure 1A perspective view of a gas source 1 is shown, which can be used in various applications, such as inflating tires, dispensing from containers, pressurizing or repressurizing bottles of sparkling wine and other carbonated beverages after filling containers. In the following description, specific reference is made to its use in pressurized carbonated beverage containers, but aspects of the invention should not be limited to this application. The gas source 1 has a housing 2 supporting various components of the gas source 1. In this embodiment, the housing 2 has an elongated shape with a top 21 and a bottom 22, and a handle 23 that a user can grip to manipulate the gas source 1. For example, a user can extend their fingers through the opening of the handle 23 and grasp the body of the housing 2 with their fingers and thumb. Of course, the housing 2 is not limited to an elongated shape and can take other suitable forms. In this embodiment, the gas source 1 has a gas outlet 9 located at the bottom 22 of the housing 2, the gas outlet 9... Figure 2 The position of the gas outlet 9 is optimally observed. This positioning allows the user to place the gas source 1 on the gas receiving port (e.g., an inflation valve) and press the gas source 1 downwards on the receiving port to deliver gas. In this embodiment, the gas outlet 9 is provided with a valve that is normally closed and opens to allow gas flow when the gas outlet 9 is pressed downwards on the receiving port (which causes a portion of the gas outlet valve to move upwards toward the housing 2). Releasing the gas source 1 from the receiving port will close the gas outlet valve, thereby stopping the gas flow. However, in other embodiments, the gas can be released by a user operating lever or button, squeezing handle 23, or otherwise.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the gas source 1 includes: a cylinder 4 that holds pressurized gas in a storage volume; a piercing blowpipe 6 that pierces the gas outlet of the cylinder 4; and a regulator 5 that receives high-pressure gas from the cylinder 4 and reduces the pressure of the high-pressure gas to deliver it to the gas outlet 9 (e.g., via a pipe or other conduit 55 – see...). Figure 7—Delivered to gas outlet 9). For example, cylinder 4 holding carbon dioxide may have an internal pressure of 500 psi to 1000 psi, and regulator 5 may reduce this pressure to certain values ​​suitable for the intended application, such as 15 psi to 50 psi for repressurization of beverage containers. In some cases, regulator 5 can be adjusted by a user or technician to provide different gas pressures at gas outlet 9. For example, regulator 5 may include a dial, an adjustable screw, or other features for adjusting the output gas pressure. According to one aspect of the invention, regulator 5 and piercing blowpipe 6 may be fixed together and movable relative to housing 2 and cylinder 4 to pierce cylinder outlet. This can be done in different ways, such as those described below, and this allows gas source 1 to use cylinders 4 of different sizes and shapes, since the size and shape of the cylinder are independent of the piercing operation, as is the case in most cylinder piercing arrangements. That is, many cylinder piercing configurations support the bottom of the cylinder opposite the gas outlet for piercing. Therefore, variations in the length, shape, or other features of the cylinder may interfere with normal piercing. However, in this arrangement in which the regulator and the puncture blowpipe move toward a cylinder that remains stationary relative to the housing during puncture, the size and / or shape of the cylinder are not important to the process.

[0031] Gas source 1 may include an actuator for piercing the cylinder with a blowpipe. In this embodiment, the actuator includes a rod 24 mounted for pivoting about a pivot axis 241, the rod 24 being able to... Figure 3 I saw it in the middle. Figures 1 to 3 The lever 24 is shown in the closed position, while Figure 4 The lever 24 is shown in the open position. The movement of lever 24 drives the movement of adjuster 5 and piercing blowpipe 6 relative to cylinder 4, i.e. Figure 1 and Figure 3 The vertical movement is visible in the view. With lever 24 in the closed position, adjuster 5 and piercing blowpipe 6 are in the downward position or the advance position closest to the outlet of cylinder 4. Therefore, with lever 24 in the closed position, piercing blowpipe 6 will pierce the gas outlet of cylinder 4, as... Figure 3 The situation is as follows. When lever 24 is in... Figure 4In the open position, the regulator 5 and blowpipe 6 are in an upward or retracted position away from the outlet of the gas cylinder. This can allow, for example, the gas cylinder 4 to be removed from the housing 2 to be replaced by another gas cylinder 4. A detailed implementation of the mechanism for moving the regulator 5 and blowpipe 6 in response to movement of the lever 24 is described below, but various actuator arrangements can be employed, such as linkages, drives and other means for moving the regulator 5 and blowpipe 6 in response to movement of the lever 24. For example, a two-bar linkage can be employed in which one end of a first linkage is pivoted to the housing 2 above the regulator 5, one end of a second linkage is pivoted to the regulator 5 / blowpipe 6 and the other ends of the linkages are pivotally coupled together. The lever 24 can be attached to the coupled ends of the linkages so that movement of the lever 24 causes a scissor action of the linkages to move the regulator 5 / blowpipe 6 up and down. Another arrangement can comprise a geared drive whereby rotation of the lever 24 rotates a pinion which moves a rack coupled to the regulator 5 / blowpipe 6 up and down in response to movement of the lever 24. Other variants will occur to the skilled person including a motor driven arrangement which can be actuated by the user pressing a button. Furthermore, in some implementations the regulator and blowpipe are not fixed together and the actuator can be arranged to move the blowpipe and gas cylinder relative to each other, for example to move the gas cylinder relative to the blowpipe which remains stationary relative to the housing. Thus, the actuator can have a piercing state in which the blowpipe is engaged with the gas cylinder and a retracted state in which the blowpipe is not engaged with the gas cylinder.

[0032] Although not essential, in this implementation a portion of the lever 24 defines an outer surface of the housing 2. This can enable the user to more easily identify the function of the lever 24 and to access the lever 24. Additionally, this can enable the lever 24 to control whether and how a gas cylinder is removed from or provided to the gas source 1. For example, in this implementation the gas source 1 comprises a door 25 which covers a gas cylinder compartment in which the gas cylinder 4 is located. The door 25 is movable between a closed position in which the door 25 covers the gas cylinder compartment and an open position in which the door 25 is open to allow the gas cylinder 4 to be removed from or provided to the gas cylinder compartment. However, in order to move the door 25 from the closed position, the latch 26 must be released (e.g. the latch 26 is slid upwards against spring bias) so that the door 25 can be opened. However, as Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 1 Figure 3 ​​​As can be seen, when the lever 24 is in the closed position, the lever 24 covers the latch 26, thereby preventing access to the latch 26. Thus, the gas cylinder compartment cannot be opened unless the lever 24 is first moved to the open position. Of course, moving the lever 24 to the open position moves the blowpipe 6 away from the gas cylinder 4, thereby allowing any gas pressure in the gas cylinder 4 and / or regulator 5 to be vented. Thus, any time a user wants to open the gas cylinder compartment (i.e., open the door 25), the lever 24 must first be opened, which vents the gas cylinder 4 and associated gas lines to ambient pressure. This can help ensure that the user does not handle the gas cylinder 4 during venting, which can cause problems. For example, if gas is rapidly vented from a carbon dioxide cylinder, the cylinder will typically cool to a relatively low temperature. Venting the cylinder before allowing the user to open the gas cylinder compartment can delay handling of the cylinder, thereby allowing the cylinder to warm before being touched by the user.

[0033] In this embodiment, the door 25 is pivotally mounted near the bottom 22 of the housing 2 such that the door 25 can be pivoted forward and downward to expose the gas cylinder compartment. The door 25 includes a gas cylinder holder 251 on the inside, thereby allowing a gas cylinder 4 to be seated on the inside of the door 25 and allowing the door 25 to be moved to the closed position to install the gas cylinder 4 in the gas cylinder compartment. The gas cylinder holder 251 is arranged to hold a variety of different sizes and shapes of gas cylinders 4, including different lengths of gas cylinders 4. In some cases, an adapter 252 can be used with the gas cylinder 4, for example, in cases where the gas cylinder 4 is smaller than a typical or nominal size. In such cases, the gas cylinder 4 can be seated in the adapter 252 and the adapter / gas cylinder combination can be seated into the gas cylinder holder 251. The door 25 can then be moved to the closed position to seat the gas cylinder 4 in the gas cylinder compartment of the housing 2.

[0034] The cylinder compartment includes a support 3 that holds the cylinder 4 in the cylinder compartment. In this embodiment, the support 3 is arranged to support the cylinder 4 with the outlet of the cylinder being at the uppermost portion of the cylinder 4. That is, the cylinder 4 is oriented vertically with the outlet of the cylinder being above other portions of the cylinder. This arrangement can be used with cylinders of carbon dioxide that can contain carbon dioxide in liquid and gaseous forms. By orienting the cylinder vertically, liquid carbon dioxide can be prevented from exiting the cylinder during use. In addition to, or alternatively to, orienting the cylinder with the gas outlet at the uppermost portion of the cylinder during gas dispensing, gas received from the cylinder 4 can be directed or otherwise carried in an upward direction and then downward to the gas outlet 9. For example, the regulator 5 and conduit 55 direct fluid received from the cylinder 4 upward along an initial flow path, and then the conduit 55 turns downward to the gas outlet 9. This can help prevent liquid received from the cylinder 4 from reaching the gas outlet 9, which can cause some components, such as the gas outlet valve, to freeze. That is, if liquid carbon dioxide is received by the conduit 55, directing the flow upward and then downward can help prevent the liquid from reaching the downward section of the conduit, and thus the gas outlet of the source of pressurized gas. In some cases, the initial upward flow path can help prevent liquid from reaching the uppermost portion of the conduit 55, for example, because liquid is more dense than gas. Likewise, the upward then downward flow path of the conduit 55 can increase the overall length of the flow path, thereby helping to warm any liquid in the conduit 55 so that the liquid vaporizes into gas in the conduit 55.

[0035] The support 3 for the cylinder 4 can also be arranged to counteract the force exerted by the piercing lance 6 during piercing. That is, the force required to pierce the gas outlet of the cylinder 4 can vary, but in some cases the force can be relatively high, for example, it can be a force of 10 pounds or more. The support 3 can provide all of the counteracting force necessary on the cylinder 4 to allow effective piercing by the lance 6, for example, the support 3 can prevent the cylinder 4 from moving relative to the housing during piercing. The support 3 can engage the cylinder 4 in different ways, such as by engaging a neck of the cylinder, engaging a cap that engages the neck of the cylinder, etc., and in this embodiment the support 3 is arranged to engage a flange attached to the neck of the cylinder. Figure 6A gas cylinder 4 in an example embodiment is shown, which includes a flange 41 adapted to arrange the gas cylinder 4 on the support 3 of the gas source 1. In this embodiment, the flange 41 extends radially outwardly from a neck 42 of a cylinder body 43, which has a storage volume for holding pressurized gas. The flange 41 is in this embodiment made as a single unitary component with a cap 44, but can also be made as a single unitary component with the body 43 or the neck 42. Alternatively, the flange 41 can be attached to other parts of the gas cylinder by threading, welding, adhesive, etc. In this embodiment, the cap 44 has a sidewall with a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion is engaged with the neck 42, e.g. by threading, adhesive, press fit, etc., and the upper portion extends above a top surface of the neck 42 where the pierceable gas outlet of the gas cylinder is located. The upper portion of the sidewall defines an interior space where a gasket 45 is located. This interior space can be accessed through an upper opening 46, which is defined, e.g., by an upper end of the sidewall and / or by a radially inwardly extending wall portion. An upper surface of the gasket 45 can be at least partially exposed at the upper opening of the cap 44 and can extend into the upper opening 46. The upper surface can be arranged to form a seal with the piercing lance 6 extending into the upper opening, and a lower surface of the gasket 45 can form a seal with the top surface of the neck. Thus, when the lance 6 extends into the upper opening of the cap 44, the lance 6 can form a seal with the gasket 45, and the lower surface of the gasket 45 is sealed against the top surface of the neck 42 and the gas outlet of the gas cylinder is pierced to release pressurized gas. The contact of the piercing lance 6 with the gasket 45 causes the gasket to change shape and to at least partially conform to the shape of the interior space defined by the cap 44 and the shape of the piercing lance 6. In some cases, the upper opening 46 in the cap 44 is operable to engage with the piercing lance 6 and prevent rotation of the gas cylinder 4 relative to the piercing lance 6, e.g. the upper opening can include grooves that engage with ribs on the lance 6 that prevent rotation of the cap 44 relative to the lance 6.

[0036] When the same gas cylinder 4 as in Figure 6 is placed in the gas cylinder holder 251 of the door 25 and the door 25 is closed, the neck 42 of the gas cylinder 4 is received by the support 3 such that the flange 41 of the gas cylinder 4 is positioned above the support 3. This allows the support 3 to hold the gas cylinder against vertical forces, such as the force of gravity on the gas cylinder 4 and the piercing force of the lance 6. As in Figure 7As can be seen, the support 3 comprises a U-shaped plate that can receive the neck 42 of the gas cylinder within the U-shaped opening and in contact with the lower side of the flange 41. The guide end of the U-shaped portion is inclined or angled such that the flange 41 can be guided to the top side of the support 3 when the door 25 is closed. The support 3 can also engage with the flange 41 to laterally position the gas outlet in a horizontal or transverse direction to the piercing direction, such that the gas outlet is correctly positioned for piercing by the lance 6. To this end, the support 3 can engage with the outer radial surface of the flange 41 and / or with the outer radial surface of the neck 42, for example, receiving the neck 42 fully into the U-shaped opening of the support 3 can correctly position the gas outlet for piercing.

[0037] Figure 8 An enlarged view of the regulator 5 and the lance 6 is shown, which illustrates how the regulator 5 and the lance 6 move relative to the housing 2 and the gas cylinder 4 in this embodiment. The housing 2 comprises a pair of guide rails 27 that guide the vertical movement of the regulator 5 and the lance 6. Figure 8 The guide rails 27 each comprise an elongate slot and a pair of pins 51 attached to the regulator 5 and riding in the slot to guide the movement of the regulator. A spring 52 is arranged to bias the regulator 5 to move upwards and away from the gas cylinder 4, such that in the absence of any downward force on the regulator 5, the regulator 5 and the lance 6 will move upwards and away from the gas cylinder 4. A downward force is applied to the regulator 5 and the lance 6 by the lever 24 via a cam 28 fixed to the lever 24. Thus, as the lever 24 pivots relative to the housing 2, the cam 28 also pivots. Figure 9 An enlarged view of the cam 28 and the regulator 5 is shown. The cam 28 has a groove that engages with a follower 53 on the regulator 5, which in this embodiment has a straight rail configuration. As the lever 24 and the cam 28 pivot about the pivot axis 241 of the lever, the cam 28 will travel along the follower 53. For example, when the cam 28 and the lever 24 are pivoted from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3, the cam 28 will travel along the follower 53 from the left-hand side of the groove to the right-hand side of the groove. Figure 9As the closed position pivots toward the open position, follower 53 gradually contacts the portion of cam 28 closer to the pivot axis 241. This movement of cam 28 allows the adjuster 5 and blowpipe 6 to move upwards and away from cylinder 4, as spring 52 continuously biases the adjuster 5 upwards. Conversely, as cam 28 moves from the open to the closed position, it pushes downwards on follower 53, causing the adjuster to move downwards until blowpipe 6 pierces the cylinder gas outlet. Cam 28 has an eccentric feature such that once lever 24 and cam 28 are in the closed position, upward forces on the adjuster 5 / blowpipe 6 (whether exerted by spring 52, washer 45, or / or by the cylinder's resistance to piercing) will not move lever 24 from the closed position. Only when the user lifts lever 24 will the operation move lever 24 from the closed position.

[0038] As described above, gas source 1 can be used to repressurize the carbonated beverage container after it has been opened for dispensing. To introduce pressurized gas into the container, a stop can be used to deliver the pressurized gas, and this stop maintains the internal space of the container under pressure for an extended period of time. Figure 10 and Figure 11 A stop 7 is shown for use with a container 8, such as one that holds a sparkling beverage and initially has a cork or other closure that seals an opening 81 of the container 8. Thus, the cork or other closure can be removed from the opening 81 to allow the beverage to be poured from the container, and the stop 7 can be used to reseal or close the opening 81. As discussed in more detail below, the stop 7 can allow the internal space of the container 8 to be pressurized, for example, so that carbonated beverages can pass through the stop 7 to maintain carbonation during storage, but this is not necessary. As with many sparkling wine bottles and other wine bottles, the neck of the container includes a lip 82 located below the opening 81, which engages with a metal cap and wire retainer or other component that helps retain the cork or other closure in the opening 81. Figure 11 As shown, with the cork retainer and cork or other closure removed, the opening 81 of container 8 is open for dispensing beverage. Thereafter, the stop 7 can be... Figure 10 As shown, it engages with container 8 to seal opening 81, and then as shown... Figure 11 As shown, it is removed to allow further dispensing of beverage from container 8. For engagement with container 8, handle 72 can be in an open position and a closed position (respectively in...). Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown in the diagram, the mechanism operates between the stop 7 and the container 8 such that a properly arranged mechanism can engage with the lip 82 of the container 8 and seal the opening 81. Figure 10With the stopper engaged, a user can introduce pressurized gas into the interior space of the container 8. In this embodiment, the stopper 7 includes a gas inlet port 71 at the top of the stopper housing 74 that can mate with the gas outlet 9 of the gas source 1. As described above, pressing downward on the gas source housing 2 can open the gas outlet 9, delivering gas to the inlet port 71 of the stopper and into the container 8. The stopper 7 can include a pressure indicator 73, such as a pressure indicator that provides an indication when the pressure in the container 8 is at a suitable level and gas delivery can be stopped. As will be appreciated, the inlet port 71 can be in communication with a gas passageway that extends through the stopper 7 and to a location where gas is delivered to the interior space of the container 8. A check valve or other valve arrangement can allow gas to flow into the container 8 but can prevent flow from the container 8 to the inlet port 71. To re-pressurize a carbonated beverage container, the gas source 1 can include a gas cylinder containing pressurized CO2, and the gas source 1 can be fluidly coupled to the gas inlet port 71 by a quick-connect type fitting, a threaded fitting, a press fit, or other suitable engagement, such as simply holding the gas source 9 against the inlet port 71 by a user. The gas source can include a pressurized gas container, such as a gas cylinder that holds a suitable gas (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, etc.) at a relatively high pressure, such as 100 psi to 3000 psi. If desired, the gas source can be arranged to provide gas at two or more selectable pressures and / or flow rates. For example, gas can be provided at a first pressure and / or first flow rate, such as to displace any air in the container 8 with a suitable inert or non-reactive gas from the gas source. The displaced air can be vented through the stopper 7 via a vent. In some cases, the vent can be manually operated by a user, such as by pressing a button. A second pressure and / or second flow rate can be higher than the first pressure, and can be suitable to establish a storage pressure in the container 8, such as to help maintain a desired level of carbonation in the container 8. Because the stopper 7 can seal the opening 81 of the container, a pressure above ambient can be maintained in the interior space of the container 8 for an extended period of time, such as 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, or more. The gas inlet port 71 or other portions of the gas inlet passageway can include a check valve or other one-way valve that allows gas to flow into the container 8 but prevents gas from flowing out of the container 8. Additionally or alternatively, the gas inlet port 71 can be capped or otherwise closed to prevent pressure leaks.

[0039] While aspects of the application have been illustrated and described in relation to the illustrative embodiments, various changes and modifications can be made by persons skilled in the art to the aspects of the application disclosed in the specification, without departing from the scope of the application as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A pressurized gas source for providing pressurized gas to a beverage container, the gas source comprising: a housing including a support for a gas cylinder for containing the pressurized gas and a door movable between an open position and a closed position to open and close a cylinder compartment, the housing further including a latch to retain the door in the closed position and a lever mounted for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, wherein the lever prevents operation of the latch to open the door in the closed position; a gas outlet mounted to the housing and arranged to provide the pressurized gas for delivery to the beverage container; a regulator supported by the housing and arranged to receive gas at a first pressure from the gas cylinder and provide the gas at a second pressure lower than the first pressure to the gas outlet; and a piercing lance arranged to pierce an outlet of the gas cylinder to release the pressurized gas, the piercing lance being fixed relative to the regulator and the regulator and the piercing lance being movable relative to the housing and the gas cylinder to pierce the outlet of the gas cylinder, wherein the lever is coupled to move the regulator and the piercing lance between a retracted position and a piercing position.

2. The gas source of claim 1, wherein, the support for the gas cylinder is arranged to hold the gas cylinder stationary relative to the housing during movement of the regulator and the piercing lance to pierce the outlet of the gas cylinder.

3. The gas source of claim 1, wherein, the lever defines an outer surface of the housing.

4. The gas source of claim 1, wherein, the lever includes a cam in contact with the regulator and the piercing lance and the cam moves the regulator and the piercing lance from the retracted position to the piercing position.

5. The gas source of claim 4, wherein, the regulator and the piercing lance are spring biased to move to the retracted position.

6. The gas source of claim 1, wherein, the lever defines an outer surface of the housing and covers the latch in the closed position.

7. The gas source of claim 1, wherein, the support for the gas cylinder includes a U-shaped plate arranged to receive a portion of a neck of the gas cylinder.

8. The gas source of claim 7, wherein, the support for the gas cylinder is arranged to resist a piercing force of the piercing lance during piercing of the outlet of the gas cylinder.

9. The gas source of claim 8, further comprising the gas cylinder having a flange disposed at the neck of the gas cylinder, and wherein, the support for the gas cylinder is arranged to receive the neck of the gas cylinder with the flange positioned on an upper surface of the support.

10. The gas source of claim 1, wherein, the housing includes a cylinder holder arranged for movement between an open position and a closed position and wherein the cylinder holder is arranged to position a portion of the gas cylinder on the support upon movement to the closed position.

11. The gas source of claim 10, wherein, the cylinder holder is attached to the door of the housing.

12. The gas source of claim 1, wherein, the housing has an elongated shape with a top and a bottom, the gas outlet is at the bottom of the housing and the support for the gas cylinder is arranged to support the gas cylinder with the outlet of the gas cylinder at an uppermost portion of the gas cylinder.

13. The gas source of claim 12, wherein, the regulator and the piercing lance are arranged to move vertically to pierce the gas cylinder.

14. The gas source of claim 1, wherein, The housing includes a cylinder holder adapted to receive a first cylinder having a first size in an adapter and to receive a second cylinder having a second size that is larger than the first size without the adapter.

15. The gas source of claim 1, wherein, The gas outlet includes a valve that is normally closed and that is opened by moving a portion of the valve upwardly.

16. A cylinder, comprising: a body having a storage volume and a neck having a top surface with a pierceable gas outlet; a flange secured to the neck and arranged to support the cylinder for piercing the gas outlet, the flange extending radially outwardly from the neck; a cap secured to the neck and having a sidewall extending around the top surface and defining an interior space and an upper opening to the interior space; and a gasket located in the interior space and arranged to form a seal with the top surface and with a piercing element extending into the interior space to pierce the gas outlet.

17. The air cylinder of claim 16, wherein, The flange and the cap are made as a single unitary piece.

18. The air cylinder of claim 16, wherein, The sidewall of the cap is arranged to extend above the top surface of the neck and the gasket has an upper surface having an area exposed at the upper opening of the cap and arranged to contact the piercing element received in the upper opening of the cap to pierce the gas outlet of the cylinder and a lower surface arranged to form a seal with the top surface of the neck. The cap includes an upper wall having an annular shape extending radially inwardly from the sidewall and including a radially inner portion defining the upper opening.

19. The air cylinder of claim 16, wherein, An uppermost portion of the upper surface of the gasket is located radially inwardly of the radially inner portion of the upper wall.

20. The air cylinder of claim 19, wherein, The uppermost portion of the upper surface of the gasket extends into the upper opening.

21. The air cylinder of claim 20, wherein, The interior space has a cylindrical shape and the gasket has an annular face shape.

22. The air cylinder of claim 16, wherein, The sidewall is located at an upper portion of the cap and a lower portion of the cap includes an internal thread arranged to engage an external thread on a neck of the cylinder.

23. The air cylinder of claim 16, wherein, Contact of the piercing element with the gasket causes the gasket to change shape and to at least partially conform to the shape of the piercing element and the interior space defined by the cap.

24. The air cylinder of claim 16, wherein, The upper opening in the cap is operable to engage with the piercing element and to prevent rotation of the cylinder relative to the piercing element.

25. The air cylinder of claim 16, wherein, 26. The cylinder of claim 16 in combination with a source of pressurized gas for providing pressurized gas into a beverage container, the gas source comprising: a housing including a support for the cylinder containing the pressurized gas, the support arranged to support the cylinder so that the pierceable gas outlet of the cylinder is positioned above other portions of the cylinder; a piercing lance arranged to pierce the gas outlet of the cylinder to release the pressurized gas; ​ a gas outlet mounted to the housing, fluidly coupled to the piercing lance, and arranged to provide the pressurized gas for delivery to the beverage container; and a gas flow path comprising a conduit, and arranged to direct gas flow from the gas outlet of the gas cylinder upwardly and then downwardly to the gas outlet of the gas source.

27. The air cylinder of claim 26, wherein, The gas flow path comprises a regulator fluidly coupled to the piercing lance and the conduit.

28. A pressurized gas source for providing pressurized gas to a beverage container, the gas source comprising: a housing comprising a support for a gas cylinder, the gas cylinder containing the pressurized gas; a piercing lance arranged to pierce an outlet of the gas cylinder to release the pressurized gas; a gas outlet mounted to the housing, the gas outlet fluidly coupled to the piercing lance, and arranged to provide the pressurized gas for delivery to the beverage container; a door movable on the housing between an open position and a closed position to open and close a gas cylinder compartment; a latch to retain the door in the closed position; and an actuator comprising a lever mounted for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, and arranged to move the piercing lance and the gas cylinder relative to each other to cause the piercing lance to pierce the outlet of the gas cylinder, the actuator having a piercing state in which the piercing lance and the gas cylinder are engaged, and a retracted state in which the piercing lance and the gas cylinder are disengaged, wherein the door is prevented from moving from the closed position unless the actuator is in the retracted state, and wherein the lever in the closed position prevents operation of the latch to open the door.

29. The gas source of claim 28, wherein, The lever defines an outer surface of the housing.

30. The gas source of claim 28, further comprising a regulator supported by the housing, and arranged to receive gas at a first pressure from the gas cylinder and provide gas to the gas outlet at a second pressure lower than the first pressure.

31. The gas source of claim 30, wherein, The piercing lance is fixed relative to the regulator, and the regulator and the piercing lance are movable relative to the housing and the gas cylinder to pierce the outlet of the gas cylinder.

32. The gas source of claim 31, wherein, The support of the gas cylinder is arranged to hold the gas cylinder stationary relative to the housing during movement of the regulator and the piercing lance in order to pierce the outlet of the gas cylinder. The gas flow path comprises a regulator fluidly coupled to the piercing lance and the conduit.

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