Patent Application
20170259221
The disclosure relates to a liquid aerator, and particularly to an aerator that attaches to a bottle to aerate the liquid as it flows out.
Some beverages, such as red wine, are often considered to be more enjoyable after they have been exposed to air. There are numerous ways to achieve this aeration. One way is to, upon opening a new bottle of wine, pour the content into a decanter and let it “breathe.” Another way to achieve aeration is to open a bottle of wine some period before one plans on drinking it. Yet another way to aerate red wine is to pour the wine into wine funnels or strainers that are designed to divide the liquid into multiple streams, thereby exposing more of the liquid's surface to the air. Although the above technique may be helpful in aerating the wine, they often involve inconvenient extra steps that often result in splashing/spilling or require one to take an action long before he is ready to drink the wine. Furthermore, the degree of aeration that happens may not be enough to bring out the desired flavors in the wine.
An apparatus and method for achieving optimal aeration of a beverage without requiring much planning or cleanup is desired.
A liquid aerating device is presented. The device includes a first inner channel through which air flows in a first direction, a second inner channel extending substantially parallel to the first inner channel, wherein liquid flows through the second inner channel in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction, and an aeration chamber. The aeration chamber is connected to the first inner channel and the second inner channel, and positioned such that the air flows into the first inner channel from the aeration chamber and the liquid flows out of the second inner channel into the aeration chamber.
The beverage aerating device described herein may be attached to the neck portion of a bottle, such that the liquid becomes aerated as it flows out of the bottle through the aerating device. In one embodiment, the aerating device described herein is a venturi apparatus that utilizes Bernoulli's Principle to inject or infuse oxygen from ambient air into liquid that is being poured. The aerating device includes a first inner channel and a second inner channel that extend substantially parallel to each other. As liquid flows out of the bottle through one channel, air gets pulled into the bottle via the other channel, flowing in the opposite direction of the liquid flow. The air is pulled into an aeration chamber where the liquid that is flowing out of the bottle is experiencing a constriction in the flow passage. The constricted flow lowers the internal liquid pressure, making the liquid more susceptible to infusion of oxygen that flows in with the air into the aeration chamber.
The straw 300 extends into the neck of the bottle to the “shoulder” portion of the bottle. The straw 300 has an air outlet 302 through which the air enters the bottle, and an outlet 304 that couples to the aerator 200. When the bottle is full, the air outlet 302 of the straw 300 is submerged in the liquid when the bottle is tilted in a pouring position. When the bottle is less full, the air outlet 302 of the straw 300 is not submerged in the liquid even when the bottle is tilted for pouring. Air enters the aeration chamber 206 through the holes 205, and flows out the straw 300.
The aerator 200 has two inner channels: a first inner channel 207 that extends through a straw attachment portion 202 and a cylindrical casing 204, and a second inner channel 208 that extends only through the cylindrical casing 204. The first and second inner channels 207, 208 extend parallel to each other but separately through the cylindrical casing 204, and both channels open into the aeration chamber 206. In the particular embodiment, the aeration chamber 206 has a partial-sphere shape, with holes 205 extending through its outer wall. The holes 205 are positioned close to the first inner channel 207. A tab 203 is formed in the aeration chamber 206 and partially blocks the second channel 208. There is an opening in the tab 203 that leads into the first inner channel 207.
The straw attachment portion 202 is configured to fit securely with the straw 300, allowing air to flow from the aerator 200 through the straw 300. The cylindrical casing 204 may be tapered such that it gets narrower going from the aeration chamber 206 toward the straw 300. This tapered shape allows a user to push the cylindrical casing 204 into a bottle as far as it will go for a snug, secure coupling. The outer surface of the cylindrical casing 204 may be made of a material that has some “give,” such as rubber or an elastic material to ensure a snug fit into a bottle without causing any damage to the bottle or the aerator 200.
When liquid is poured through the aerating device 10, the liquid flows mainly through the second inner channel 208. In the particular embodiment, the second inner channel 208 is a larger channel than the first inner channel 207. As liquid inside the bottle flows out through the second inner channel 208, decreasing the air pressure inside the bottle, air is pulled into the aerator 200 through the aeration holes 205 and travels into the bottle through the first inner chamber 207. The tab 203 narrows the outlet of the second inner channel 208, causing the liquid velocity to increase as it enters the aeration chamber 206. This increase in liquid velocity lowers the pressure in accordance with Bernoulli effect, causing a low-pressure liquid to come in contact with air as it enters the aerator 200 through the holes 205. Further constriction to the liquid flow happens as it flows through the constriction portion 106, again increasing the flow velocity, decreasing internal pressure, and allowing air that entered through the holes 205 to mix with the low-pressure liquid. At the constriction portion 106, optimal amount of oxygen is directly infused into the liquid as it flows.
In the preceding specification, the inventive concept has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the inventive concept as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Other embodiments of the inventive concept may be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the concept disclosed herein.
