Patent Application
20240381907
The present invention relates to the field of preserving liquids and foods that can be altered by oxygen, in particular wine.
There are known devices for storing bottles of wine, or other liquids that can be altered by oxygen, after their partial consumption. In particular, these devices provide for the conservation of these bottles under vacuum or using inert gases (e.g. CO2, Ar, N2 or a combination of these), in order to preserve, even for a long time, the organoleptic properties of the wine itself which, as known, they are altered in contact with the oxygen present in the environment.
These devices generally comprise a cap applicable to the mouth of a bottle, which is equipped with a non-return valve that allows to suck air from the bottle or to introduce an inert gas inside. The extraction of air and the introduction of inert gas can also be combined and implemented by a single device. In particular, both the introduction of the inert gas into the bottle, and the subtraction of oxygen for the formation of the vacuum inside it, generally involve the use of relative spring switches that allow the interruption of the flow, in one direction or in the other, once the desired condition has been reached.
However, such switches can be subject to malfunction. In the case of devices that inject gas into the bottle, this entails the possibility of gas dispersion into the environment in quantities that are also harmful to the operators. In the case of devices that extract oxygen from the bottle, this can lead to the creation of an excessive vacuum level, with consequent aspiration of sulfur dioxide SO2 and dissolved carbon dioxide CO2, altering the original taste of the wine.
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a device for preserving a liquid inside a container, in particular wine, which allows storage by introducing inert gas and/or by subtracting oxygen from the bottle.
It is also a feature of the present invention to provide such a device that prevents the dispersion of gas in the external environment.
It is still a feature of the present invention to provide such a device that guarantees a pressure in the bottle suitable for correct storage of the liquid.
It is still a feature of the present invention to provide such a device that avoids the formation of an excessive vacuum in the bottle.
It is a further feature of the present invention to provide such a device that allows the preservation of food by subtracting oxygen from a food container.
These and other objects are achieved by a device for preserving a liquid inside a container, said device comprising a pressurizing circuit arranged to pressurize said container, said pressurizing circuit comprising:
Therefore, the present invention provides that the solenoid valve EV1 is brought into the closed configuration alternatively:
In this way, the present invention allows to obtain the correct pressure inside the container while avoiding the dispersion of inert gas in the event of component malfunction.
In fact, in case of correct operation, the pressure switch blocks the entry of inert gas (CO2) into the container when the desired pressure has been reached.
In case, instead, that there is a malfunction in the pressure switch and/or in the event that the container is removed prematurely and there is a malfunction in the electric switch, the control unit in any case blocks the flow of inert gas avoiding its dispersion into the environment.
Advantageously, said pressurizing circuit also comprises a pressure reducer arranged to adjust the pressure of inert gas in said pressurizing circuit.
In particular, said pressurizing circuit also comprises a flow reducer arranged to prevent pressure peaks in said pressurizing circuit.
In this way, it is avoided that a pressure peak in the circuit causes the pressure switch to be activated by mistake, by controlling the closure of the solenoid valve when the inert gas pressure in the container is not yet sufficient.
In particular, said inert gas is carbon dioxide CO2.
According to another aspect of the invention, a device for preserving a liquid inside a container is claimed, said device comprising a suction circuit arranged to reduce the pressure in said container, said suction circuit comprising:
Therefore, the present invention provides that the solenoid valve EV2 is brought into the closed configuration alternatively:
In this way, the present invention allows to obtain the correct removal of gas from the container while avoiding the creation of an excessive vacuum in case of malfunction of the vacuum switch.
In fact, in case of correct operation, the vacuum switch blocks the aspiration of gas (oxygen) from the container when the desired vacuum level has been reached.
In case, instead, that there is a malfunction of the vacuum switch, the control unit in any case blocks the suction of gas, avoiding the formation of a high vacuum which would involve the suction of sulfur dioxide SO2 and dissolved carbon dioxide CO2, altering the original taste of the wine.
Advantageously, an adapter is also provided for the connection between the suction duct and a food container arranged at generate the vacuum inside, in order to suck in the gas by the food container.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a device for preserving a liquid inside a container is claimed, said device comprising:
In a possible embodiment of the invention, the device is designed to be recessed into a wall, reducing the overall footprint and being optimal for insertion inside, for example, a domestic kitchen.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a device for preserving a liquid inside a container is claimed, said device comprising a suction circuit arranged to reduce the pressure in said container, said suction circuit comprising:
In this embodiment, therefore, the suction circuit does not comprise the solenoid valve EV2, but it is the vacuum pump to switch between the open configuration and the closed configuration.
The invention will be now shown with the following description of its exemplary embodiments, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:
With reference to
In particular, the pressurizing circuit 100 comprises a fastening element 110 arranged to connect the pressurizing circuit 100 to a source of inert gas 105, a pressure switch 120 and an injection duct 130 arranged to be connected to the container 20 for introducing the inert gas in the container 20. In particular, the inert gas introduced into the container 20 is mainly carbon dioxide.
The pressurizing circuit 100 then comprises a solenoid valve EV1140 arranged to switch between an open configuration, where the injection duct 130 allows the introduction of the inert gas in the container 20, and a closed configuration, where the injection duct 130 does not allow the introduction of the inert gas in the container 20.
The pressurizing circuit 100 also comprises an electric switch 150 arranged to bring the solenoid valve EV1140 in the open configuration, when the injection duct 130 is connected to the container 20, and to bring the solenoid valve EV1140 in the closed configuration, when the injection duct 130 is not connected to the container 20.
The pressurizing circuit 100 finally comprises a control unit arranged to bring the solenoid valve EV1140 in the closed configuration when the pressure switch 120 verifies a pressure in the container 20 higher than a predetermined threshold value Pmax.
The control unit is also arranged to bring the solenoid valve EV1140 in the closed configuration if it remains in the open configuration for a time longer than a predetermined threshold value tmax.
This way, the present invention provides that the solenoid valve EV1140 is brought into the closed configuration alternatively:
In this way, the present invention allows to obtain the correct pressure inside the container 20 while avoiding the dispersion of inert gas in the event of component malfunction.
In particular, with reference to
If the pressure switch works correctly, the solenoid valve EV1140 passes into the closed configuration upon reaching the condition P=Pmax, i.e. the desired pressure value for correct storage of the liquid.
In case, instead, that there is a malfunction of the pressure switch, the solenoid valve EV1140 automatically switches to the closed configuration upon reaching the condition t=tmax, blocking the flow of the inert gas and preventing its dispersion into the environment.
This closing of the solenoid valve EV1140 also occurs even if the container 20 is disconnected before the condition P=Pmax is reached. This occurs either thanks to the automatic opening of the electric switch that opens the circuit or, in the event of a switch malfunction, when the condition t=tmax is reached.
With reference to
With reference to
In particular, the suction circuit 200 comprises a fastening element 110 arranged to connect the suction circuit 200 to a vacuum pump 205, a vacuum switch 220 and a suction duct 230 arranged to be connected to the container for causing the suction of gas from the container 20. In particular, the gas sucked by the container 20 is mainly oxygen.
The suction circuit 200 then comprises a solenoid valve EV2240 arranged to switch between an open configuration, in which the suction duct 230 allows the suction of gas from the container 20, and a closed configuration, in which the suction duct 230 does not allow the suction of gas from the container 20.
The suction circuit 200 also comprises an electric switch 250 arranged to bring the solenoid valve EV2240 in the open configuration, when the suction duct 230 is connected to the container 20, and to bring the solenoid valve EV2240 in the closed configuration, when the suction duct 230 is not connected to the container 20.
The suction circuit 200 finally comprises a control unit arranged to bring the solenoid valve EV2240 in the closed configuration when the vacuum switch 220 verifies a pressure in the container 20 lower than a predetermined threshold value Pmin.
The control unit is also arranged to bring the solenoid valve EV2240 in the closed configuration if it remains in the open configuration for a time longer than a predetermined threshold value tmax.
This way, the present invention provides that the solenoid valve EV2240 is brought into closed configuration alternatively:
In this way, the present invention allows to obtain the correct removal of gas from the container while avoiding the creation of an excessive vacuum in case of malfunction of the vacuum switch.
In particular, with reference to
If the vacuum switch works correctly, the solenoid valve EV2240 then passes in the closed configuration upon reaching the condition P=Pmin, i.e. that is the desired vacuum level for correct storage of the liquid.
In case, instead, that there is a malfunction of the vacuum switch, the solenoid valve EV2240 automatically switches to the closed configuration when the condition t=tmax is reached, avoiding the formation of a high vacuum which would involve the suction of sulfur dioxide SO2 and dissolved carbon dioxide CO2, altering the original taste of the wine.
This closure of the solenoid valve EV2240 also occurs even if the container 20 is disconnected before the condition P=Pmin is reached. This occurs either thanks to the automatic opening of the electric switch that opens the circuit or, in the event of a switch malfunction, when the condition t=tmax is reached.
In the
In particular, in
Although
In the
In particular, with reference to
In particular, in this mode, the present invention provides that the user connects the food container 30 to the suction duct 230 by means of the adapter 235. When the user presses the button relating to the vacuum sealer for food, the control unit manages the creation of the vacuum in the food container 30 in a similar way to that described above for the vacuum of the liquid container 20.
Therefore, the solenoid valve EV2240 closes and the process stops automatically:
In a further embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the suction circuit 200 does not require the presence of the solenoid valve EV2240. In this solution, the vacuum pump 205 is an electric pump suitable for switching between an open configuration and a closed configuration by means of the electric switch 250 or the control unit, in a completely similar way to what was previously described regarding the solenoid valve EV2240.
The foregoing description exemplary embodiments of the invention will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and, accordingly, it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102021000023780 | Sep 2021 | IT | national |
| 102022000011786 | Jun 2022 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2022/058543 | 9/10/2022 | WO |
