Device and method for dosing an alcoholic beverage based on its alcohol content

Abstract

Device (10) and method for dosing an alcoholic beverage, in particular wine, comprising a passage duct (11) for the alcoholic beverage, wherein coupling means (12) are disposed at an inlet end (1 la) of the duct (11), which are configured to be selectively coupled sealed to an outlet segment (110) of a retail dispensing receptacle (100), measuring means (14) are disposed inside the duct (11) configured to measure the flow rate of the alcoholic beverage, plugging means (15) configured to selectively plug the passage duct (11) are disposed at an outlet end (l ib) of the duct (11), and wherein the device (10) comprises detection means (13) configured to detect the alcoholic strength of the alcoholic beverage and a processing unit (16) which is operatively connected at least to the detection (13), measuring (14), and plugging (15) means, and is configured to process the data received from the detection (13) and measuring (14) means so as to selectively command the plugging means (15).

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DOSING AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE BASED ON ITS ALCOHOL CONTENT

[0002]

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention concerns a device and the corresponding method for dosing a desired amount of an alcoholic beverage, in particular wine, in a calibrated manner, so as to deliver a specific unit of alcohol (AU) directly from the receptacle containing it.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is known, in a medical and nutritional context, to measure the unit of alcohol of an alcoholic beverage, in particular wine, so as to quantity its consumption and indicate an optimal amount for its daily intake, as a function of personal physiological conditions.

[0007] In many countries, one unit of alcohol corresponds to approximately 10-12 grams of pure alcohol (ethanol). Typically, this amount of alcohol is contained in a glass of wine of approximately 125 ml with an alcoholic strength, or alcohol content, of 12%.

[0008] It is clear that the same grammage of alcohol, for other types of alcoholic beverages, is present in different volumetric quantities, always as a function of the alcoholic strength of the beverage itself, for example for low alcohol content beverages, like beer, one unit of alcohol is reached in greater volume quantities of beverage (approximately 330 ml), while for high alcohol content beverages, like spirits, one unit of alcohol is reached in much smaller quantities (approximately 40 ml).

[0009] Medical studies linking daily consumption of alcoholic beverages and prevention of cardiovascular disease are also known, some of which have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption, defined, for example, as two units of alcohol per day for men and one unit of alcohol per day for women, could be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, or in any case be considered a low health risk.

[0010] It is, however, very difficult, both for an industry professional who has to perform several tastings and also for an average consumer who consumes a glass in an establishment, to be sure not to exceed the suggested thresholds for daily units of alcohol, at the risk, on the one hand, of not enjoying the identifiedprevention benefits and, on the other hand, of intaking too much alcohol in the body, with the known physical and psychotropic consequences that this can entail. To date, actual alcohol measurement of alcoholic beverages is carried out by means of so-called “cellar” equipment, that is, using devices installed downstream of the fermenters, which directly measure the volumetric amount of alcohol present in the beverage, either directly or based on the yeast attenuation during fermentation. These known devices allow, however, to identify only the alcoholic strength of the beverage for tax labelling purposes, but do not give any information indicating the specific amount of beverage correlated to one unit of alcohol. In addition, since these are devices applied to production plants, they cannot give any specific indication to individual users regarding expected daily consumption. Dosing devices are also known that are applied directly to the retail dispensing receptacle, such as to the neck of a bottle for example, which allow for a univocal and predefined dosage of alcoholic beverage into the glass by means of pre-set mechanical systems. Such known dosing devices are not able to make a distinction as to the alcoholic strength of the beverage poured and, therefore, allow to actually identify the alcohol unit ingested by the consumer.

[0011] Beverage delivery systems are also known that provide to use control valves to regulate the delivery, such as in CA 2592076 Al for example, which discloses a beverage delivery method that receives an identification signal from a user, verifies its authenticity in relation to a database of authorized users, and allows the beverage to be delivered if the signal is authenticated, otherwise it closes a control valve to prevent any delivery.

[0012] US 2022 / 112071 Al discloses a system for delivering high-grade beer that provides a sensor configured to measure the alcohol concentration of the beverage in order to maintain a record of the delivery conditions.

[0013] US 10486954 B2 concerns a beverage mixing and delivery system which determines a rough estimate of an amount of alcohol of the beverage delivered. There is therefore the need to perfect a device and develop a method for dosing alcoholic beverages, in particular wine, that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0014] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a device and develop a method for the retail dosing of alcoholic beverages, in particular wine,by adjusting their amount as a function of the beverage’s alcohol content.

[0015] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a device that is simple and economical to manufacture and can be selectively associated with retail dispensing receptacles, such as for example the neck of a bottle or other.

[0016] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0017] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0019] In accordance with the above purposes and to solve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a dosing device and the corresponding method according to the present invention is applied for the retail dosing of an alcoholic beverage, in particular wine, through at least one passage duct, so as to pour a desired amount from a retail dispensing receptacle, such as a bottle or a tasting glass for example.

[0020] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the device comprises coupling means, detection means, measuring means, plugging means and a processing unit.

[0021] The coupling means are disposed at an inlet end of the duct and are configured to be selectively coupled with a watertight seal to an outlet segment of the receptacle, in particular to the neck of a bottle from which the beverage is poured.

[0022] The detection means are configured to detect the alcoholic strength of the beverage.

[0023] The measuring means are disposed inside the duct, for example downstream of the measuring means, and are configured to measure the flow rate of the beverage, that is, the volume of flow passing through the duct.

[0024] The plugging means are disposed at an outlet end of the duct and are configured to selectively plug the duct and, therefore, the exit of the beverage from the duct. The processing unit is operatively, in particular electronically, connected at least to the detection means, to the measuring means and to the plugging means, forexample via a cable or wireless systems such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and it is configured to process the data relating to alcoholic strength and volume of the alcoholic beverage, which are received from the detection means, in order to determine a dose of beverage to be delivered, corresponding in particular to a specific alcohol unit. On the basis of this processing, carried out also as a function of parameters set by a user, and the data received from the measuring means during the delivery of the beverage, it emits corresponding command signals to the plugging means, so as to command the selective plugging of the duct when the delivery of the established dose has been completed.

[0025] In this way, with the solution according to the present invention it is possible to dose the beverage as a function of a desired volumetric quantity, which is based on the actual alcohol strength of the beverage in the duct.

[0026] In this way, by parameterizing the alcohol strength and volume, a device made according to the present invention is able to identify with acceptable precision the alcohol unit poured each time and, if necessary, interrupt the dispensing as a function of limit parameters that are defined, even in a customized form, in the processing unit.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the detection means can be disposed inside the duct, so as to directly contact the beverage in transit.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the detection means comprise an electronic probe disposed inside the duct, configured to contact the alcoholic beverage in transit.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the detection means can be configured to detect the alcoholic strength of the beverage by analyzing the alcohol content present in the vapors of the beverage, without being placed in direct contact with the beverage.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, the detection means comprise at least one vapor detection sensor disposed in proximity to the duct, for example in correspondence with the inlet end, or in a detection chamber communicating with the duct.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, the vapor detection sensor can be chosen from the group comprising a semiconductor sensor sensitive to ethanol vapors, an electrochemical sensor, and an infrared sensor configured for thespectroscopic analysis of alcohol vapors.

[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, the detection means comprise two or more sensors chosen from probes or vapor detection sensors; in this case, the processing unit can be configured to calculate the alcohol level value of the beverage on the basis of the data detected by each of them, for example by calculating an overall average value, or possibly a weighted average based on predefined weights associated with each type of detection means.

[0033] With the solution according to the present invention, the device, by providing the coupling means, is transportable and selectively associable directly with the bottle. This advantageous solution allows to guarantee the correct dispensing of a dose that corresponds to one or to a fraction of an alcohol unit, both in professional situations involving repeated tastings and also in recreational situations, guaranteeing the intrinsic benefits of a limited consumption of alcohol units.

[0034] In fact, in professional tasting situations, for example in the winemaking or organoleptic tasting sectors, since it is possible to precisely identify the specific alcohol unit of the beverage actually tasted, the device can be set to divide each dispensation into defined volumetric portions of alcoholic beverage, so as to be able to carry out all the planned tastings without exceeding the daily consumption of alcohol units. Likewise, an average consumer, being able to pour a beverage in terms of alcohol units, can easily manage the minimum or maximum number of glasses they can consume, even of different alcoholic beverages, on the same day or in a given period of time.

[0035] Another advantage offered by the simple and economical solution according to the present invention also relates to managing the orders and supply of bottles by retailers and vendors. In fact, since the processing unit can collect data relating to precise dispensing volumes on the basis of the alcoholic strength and deliver predefined doses of beverage minimizing any waste, it is also possible to process a consumption history, so as to optimize both dispensing gains and also order and / or production quantities.

[0036] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:- fig. 1 schematically shows a device for dosing an alcoholic beverage according to the present invention;

[0038] - fig. 2 schematically shows the device of fig. 1 installed on the neck of a wine bottle;

[0039] - fig. 3 partly shows the device of fig. 1 in an exploded view.

[0040] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0041] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0042] With reference to the attached drawings, a device 10 for dosing an alcoholic beverage according to the present invention is selectively applied to an outlet segment, or neck 110, of a retail dispensing receptacle, or bottle 100, of the alcoholic beverage.

[0043] Here and hereafter in the description and claims, we speak generically of an alcoholic beverage, in particular wine, although it is not excluded that this beverage can be of any other type whatsoever, such as for example beer, spirits, fruit fermentations such as cider, or other beverages that, as a result of fermentation or addition, have a minimum alcoholic strength, or alcohol content, generally greater than 1%.

[0044] In the same way, with the term bottle 100 and the corresponding neck 110, we want to indicate a generic receptacle for retail dispensing, also understood as a small barrel, demijohn, or can, or others intended for sale, that is, not for transport or industrial storage.

[0045] The device 10 according to the present invention is provided with at least one passage duct 11, inside which the beverage can flow. In particular, the duct 11 comprises an inlet end 1 la which, during use, is disposed toward the neck 110, and an outlet end 11b, operatively opposite the inlet end Ila.Also part of the device 10 according to the present invention are coupling means 12, detection means 13, measuring means 14 and plugging means 15, disposed operatively in sequence with each other, in association, as we shall see, with the duct 11.

[0046] Furthermore, the device 10 according to the present invention also comprises a processing unit 16, which is operatively, and in particular electronically, connected to the detection means 13, the measuring means 14 and the plugging means 15.

[0047] The coupling means 12 are connected directly to the inlet end 1 la of the duct 11 and comprise a connection ring nut 17 and a sealing element, or gasket 18. In particular, the connection ring nut 17 is disposed in association with the inlet end 1 la and is configured to be stably coupled to the neck 110 of the bottle 100. This coupling is, advantageously, of a removable type, for example by means of conformation elasticity, threads, snap-in hooks, bayonet hooks or other substantially known types of hooks that can guarantee, on the one hand, a stable shape-coupling between the connection ring nut 17 and the neck 110 and, on the other hand, a practical removal of the connection ring nut 17a once usage has ended.

[0048] It is clear that, as a function of the shape and type of the neck 110, the connection ring nut 17 can have different base conformations, that is, it can be selectively replaceable with others of different shapes and sizes, so that the device 10 according to the present invention can be compatible with a wide range of necks 110 or, more generally, outlet segments of the corresponding retail dispensing receptacles.

[0049] The gasket 18 is interposed between the connection ring nut 17 and the neck 110, so as to define a coupling between the two that is watertight, that is, without any drips or leaks of beverage during the dispensing or storage steps. It is clear that, as a function of the type of connection ring nut 17, the gasket 18 can be provided in the form of a diaphragm, membrane, O-ring, or others of a substantially known type.

[0050] The detection means 13 can be disposed inside the duct 11, advantageously just downstream of the connection ring nut 17, and comprise an electronic probe 19, for example for spectroscopic analysis or suchlike, suitably sized so as to contact the beverage in transit along the duct 11 and detect its alcoholic strength.According to another embodiment, the detection means 13 can be placed in connection with the duct 11 , without being directly in contact with the beverage in transit through it.

[0051] The detection means 13 can comprise a vapor detection sensor 19a, configured to detect the alcoholic strength of the beverage by analyzing the alcohol content present in the vapors of the beverage. The vapor detection sensor 19a can be configured to analyze the vapors directly, or transmit detected data to a processing unit 16, or other device configured to analyze them.

[0052] In this configuration, the vapor detection sensor 19a can be disposed in proximity to the duct 11, for example in correspondence with the inlet end 1 la, or in a detection chamber communicating with the duct 11, without being located in direct contact with the beverage in transit.

[0053] This solution can be advantageous since it allows to prevent any direct contact between the sensor and the beverage, reducing any potential contamination and simplifying the operations for cleaning and maintaining the device 10.

[0054] The vapor detection sensor 19a can be, for example, a semiconductor sensor sensitive to ethanol vapors, an electrochemical sensor, or an infrared sensor configured for the spectroscopic analysis of the alcohol vapors, or other types. According to a further aspect of the invention, the detection means 13 can comprise both a probe 19 disposed inside the duct 11, and also a vapor detection sensor 19a located in communication with the duct 11.

[0055] The measuring means 14 are disposed inside the duct 11 and comprise at least one flow meter 20 configured to contact the beverage in transit in the passage duct 11 and measure its volumetric flow rate, so as to determine the amount delivered on each occasion.

[0056] The plugging means 15 are disposed in proximity to the outlet end lib and comprises a valve element, or more simply valve 21, disposed inside the duct 11, which can be selectively disposed between an open condition (schematized with a dashed line), in which it allows the free passage of the beverage from the outlet end 11b, and a plugging condition (schematized with a solid line), in which it prevents the passage of the beverage through the outlet end 11b, that is, it substantially prevents the beverage from being dispensed.

[0057] The processing unit 16 is operatively and electronically connected to thedetection 13, measuring 14, and plugging 15 means.

[0058] The electronic connection between the processing unit 16 and the aforementioned detection 13, measuring 14, and plugging 15 means can be realized by means of a cable connection, or wirelessly, for example by means of a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. In particular, these types of wireless connection allow for greater flexibility in the application of the device 10 according to the present invention, for example by providing a single processing unit 16 physically separate, but electronically and independently connected to multiple operating combinations of detection 13, measuring 14, and plugging 15 means.

[0059] In case the detection means 13 comprise a probe 19 and a vapor detection sensor 19a, or possibly a pair of one and / or the other, the processing unit 16 can be configured to calculate the value of the beverage’s alcohol level on the basis of the data detected by each of them, for example by calculating an overall average value, or possibly a weighted average on the basis of predefined weights associated with each type of detection mean 13.

[0060] In the embodiment schematized in the attached drawings, the processing unit 16 substantially comprises a microprocessor 22 configured to calculate the alcohol unit as a function of alcohol level and flow rate values. The microprocessor 22 is contained inside a containing or covering support 23. The latter is externally provided with a user interface 24, electronically connected to the microprocessor 22. For example, if the alcoholic strength is 12.5, a beverage dose equal to 100 ml can be determined. If the alcoholic strength is 15, the dose can be comprised between 80-85 ml, if the alcoholic strength is 10, the dose can be comprised between 120-125 ml, and so on.

[0061] Advantageously, the user interface 24 comprises at least one display screen 25 configured to display different process information, such as for example the dosage parameters of the alcohol unit, the data relating to the alcoholic beverage being dispensed, the amount of alcoholic beverage expected to be delivered and / or others. The display screen 25 can also be of the touch-sensitive type.

[0062] The user interface 24 can comprise one or more setting buttons 26 configured to allow a user to customize or modify the beverage dosage parameters to be considered for processing the data received from the detection means 13 and the measuring means 14, and the command of the plugging means 15. For example, itcan be provided that the user can, via the user interface 24, select an alcohol unit or an alcohol unit fraction, for example defined as corresponding to approximately 10-12 grams of alcohol (ethanol).

[0063] In addition, always using the setting buttons 26, it is possible to modify the data being displayed and other functions chosen, as a function of the type of services that the device 10 according to the present invention is designed to provide to the user.

[0064] In the embodiment schematized, the cover 23 is mounted directly on the duct 11, so as to define an overall integrated structure, to the advantage of the portability and flexibility of use of the device 10 according to the present invention.

[0065] In advantageous embodiments of the device 10 according to the present invention, the electric power supply of the various components, where required, can be guaranteed by means of suitable batteries 27, possibly rechargeable, housed inside the cover 23.

[0066] The operation of the device 10 described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.

[0067] Initially, a coupling step is provided in which, by means of the connection ring nut 17, the passage duct 11 is placed in watertight communication with the neck 110 of the bottle 100, so as to define a direct passage of the alcoholic beverage from the bottle 100 to the device 10 of the invention.

[0068] In this way, the alcoholic beverage flowing inside the duct 11 is first intercepted by the electronic probe 19 and, subsequently, by the flow meter 20. In this way, the alcohol detection and flow rate measurement data are sent to the microprocessor 22 which, on the basis of the alcohol unit value set and the alcoholic strength detected, controls the opening of the valve 21 accordingly, so that only the amount of alcoholic beverage containing the alcohol unit value required flows out of the duct 11.

[0069] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the device 10 and to the method as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0070] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of device and method for dosing an alcoholicbeverage, in particular wine, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0071] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device (10) for dosing an alcoholic beverage comprising a passage duct (11) provided at an inlet end (Ila) thereof with coupling means (12) configured to be selectively coupled with a watertight seal to an outlet segment (110) of a receptacle (100) for the retail dispensing of said beverage, and at an outlet end (11b) thereof with plugging means (15) configured to selectively plug it, and measuring means (14) disposed inside said duct (11) and configured to measure the flow rate of said beverage, characterized in that said device (10) comprises detection means (13) configured to detect the alcoholic strength of said beverage, and a processing unit (16) operatively connected at least to said detection means (13) in order to process the data detected thereby so as to determine a dose of beverage to be delivered on the basis of the alcoholic strength detected, and connected at least to said measuring means (14) so as to selectively command, on the basis of the data detected, said plugging means (15) so as to deliver the determined beverage dose on each occasion.

2. Device (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said processing unit (16) comprises a processor (22) and said device (10) comprises a containing support (23) configured to at least partly contain said processor (22) and provided externally with a user interface (24) configured to allow a selective setting of both the processing of said data received from said detection means (13) and from said measuring means (14), and also of the command of said plugging means (15).

3. Device (10) as in claim 2, characterized in that said user interface (24) comprises at least one display screen (25) and at least one or more setting buttons (26) or a touch-sensitive screen, and it is configured to allow the selection by a user of at least one or a fraction of an alcoholic unit to be considered in order to determine the dose of beverage to be delivered.

4. Device (10) as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said user interface (24) is electronically connected, directly or through said processing unit (16), at least to said detection means (13), said measuring means (14) and said plugging means (15).

5. Device (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims from 2 onward, characterized in that said containing support (23) is mounted on said duct (11) so as to define an overall integrated structure.

6. Device (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said coupling means (12) comprise a connection ring nut (17) disposed in association with said inlet end (11a) and a sealing element (18) interposed between said connection ring nut (17) and said outlet segment (110), configured to define a watertight coupling between the two.

7. Device (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said detection means (13) are disposed inside said duct (11).

8. Device (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said detection means (13) comprise an electronic probe (19) disposed inside said duct (11), configured to contact said alcoholic beverage in transit.

9. Device (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said detection means (13) comprise a vapor detection sensor (19a) configured to detect the alcoholic strength of said alcoholic beverage on the basis of the analysis of the alcohol content present in the vapors of said beverage, without being placed in contact with said beverage in transit.

10. Device (10) as in claim 9, characterized in that said vapor detection sensor (19a) is disposed in proximity to said duct (11) in correspondence with said inlet end (Ila), or in a detection chamber communicating with said duct (11).

11. Device (10) as in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said vapor detection sensor (19a) is chosen from the group comprising a semiconductor sensor sensitive to ethanol vapors, an electrochemical sensor, and an infrared sensor configured for the spectroscopic analysis of alcohol vapors.

12. Device (10) as in one or the other of claims from 7 to 11, characterized in that said detection means (13) comprise two or more sensors chosen from probes (19) or vapor detection sensors (19a), and said processing unit (16) is configured to calculate an alcohol level value of the beverage on the basis of the data detected by each of them.

13. Device (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said measuring means (14) comprise a flow meter (20) disposed inside said duct (11), configured to contact said beverage in transit.

14. Device (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said plugging means (15) comprise a valve element (21) associated with said outlet end (11b), configured to be selectively drivable between an open conditionin which it allows the passage of said beverage through said outlet end (11b), and a plugging condition in which it prevents the passage of said beverage.

15. Method for dosing an alcoholic beverage through at least one duct (11), characterized in that it comprises a step of watertight coupling of said duct (11) to an outlet segment (110) of a receptacle (100) for the retail dispensing of said beverage by means of coupling means (12) which are disposed at an inlet end (1 la) thereof, a detection step in which, by means of detection means (13) disposed inside of, or communicating with, said duct (11), the alcoholic strength of said beverage is detected, a processing step in which, by means of a processing unit (16), a dose of beverage to be delivered is determined on the basis of the alcoholic strength detected, a measuring step in which, by means of measuring means (14) disposed inside said duct (11), the flow rate of said beverage is measured, and a command step in which the data received from said measuring means (14) is processed, and plugging means (15) disposed at an outlet end (11b) of said duct (11) are selectively commanded to deliver the determined beverage dose on each occasion.

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