초록 ▼

An apparatus and method are provided for dispensing degradable beverages, such as wine, from a pressure-intolerant container such as a glass bottle, while insuring that gaseous contaminants such as oxygen cannot enter the bottle. In the system provided, a pressure-limiting gas container admits a non

An apparatus and method are provided for dispensing degradable beverages, such as wine, from a pressure-intolerant container such as a glass bottle, while insuring that gaseous contaminants such as oxygen cannot enter the bottle. In the system provided, a pressure-limiting gas container admits a non-degrading gas into the bottle under a safe dispensing pressure to dispense the beverage. The apparatus is configured (and the method steps are arranged) to insure that no pressure substantially higher than the dispensing pressure can ever be present in the bottle, even upon failure of any or all pressure-limiting elements in the system. Between dispensing episodes, air and other contaminants are excluded from the bottle by means of structure, including suitably arranged, quick-acting, self-closing valves.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for preventing spoilage of a degradable beverage during dispensing of the beverage from a glass bottle and during storage of the beverage in the bottle between dispensing events, comprising: elastic balloon means for being filled with a non-degrading gas when said balloon means is not atta

Apparatus for preventing spoilage of a degradable beverage during dispensing of the beverage from a glass bottle and during storage of the beverage in the bottle between dispensing events, comprising: elastic balloon means for being filled with a non-degrading gas when said balloon means is not attached to said bottle in preparation for dispensing of said beverage, for attaching to said bottle to supply dispensing pressure during dispensing of said beverage, and for detaching from said bottle for storage of said bottle, said balloon means selected such that it will burst if said gas has a pressure that is above a preselected safe dispensing pressure for said bottle; and dispensing means for controllably dispensing the beverage from said bottle under the influence of said gas in said balloon means.