Method of and apparatus for beverage storage

Abstract

A method and apparatus for storage of a beverage such as wine by the utilization of inert material forming fill members that may be inserted in a partially filled beverage/wine bottle. The fill material displaces the beverage/wine therein and causes the beverage/wine to rise in the bottle and displace the air that would otherwise be contained therein. In this manner, the amount of oxidation of the beverage/wine may be reduced while the inert material forming the fill members may, in some instances, be formed of comical shapes to promote discussion related to the consumption of the beverage.

1 . The method of wine storage to minimize oxidation thereof utilizing inert material of generally solid construction adapted to be inserted into a partially filled wine bottle for displacing the wine therein and causing the wine to rise in the bottle and displace the air that would otherwise be contained therein, said method comprising the steps of: 
 forming a plurality of solid displacement members that may be poured into a wine bottle to displace the wine until the level of the remaining wine rises to the neck region of the wine bottle;    providing at least one sealing member for sealing said wine bottle after the receipt of said displacement members therein;    pouring said displacement members into said wine bottle and raising the level of the remaining wall therein to the neck region of the wine bottle; and    sealing the wine bottle with said sealing member to reduce the amount of exposure said wine has to oxidation.    
     
     
         2 . The method of beverage storage to minimize oxidation thereof utilizing inert material of generally solid construction adapted to be inserted into a partially filled beverage bottle for displacing the beverage therein and causing the beverage to rise in the bottle and displace the air that would otherwise be contained therein, said method comprising the steps of: 
 forming a plurality of solid displacement members that may be poured into a beverage bottle to displace the beverage until the level of the remaining beverage rises to an upper neck region of the beverage bottle;    providing at least one sealing member for sealing said beverage bottle after the receipt of said displacement members therein;    pouring said displacement members into said beverage bottle and raising the level of the remaining wall therein to the upper region of the beverage bottle; and    sealing the wine bottle with said sealing member to reduce the amount of exposure said wine has to oxidation.    
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said step of forming said displacement members includes the step of forming said members out of glass.  
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the step of forming said displacement members out of glass further includes the step of molding said glass into shapes recognizable to a consumer of said beverage.  
     
     
         5 . The method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the step of forming said displacement members further includes the step of forming said displacement members into shapes resembling parts of the human anatomy.  
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the step of forming said displacement members further includes the step of molding said glass into shapes resembling vegetation.  
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the step of forming said displacement members further includes the step of molding said glass into shapes resembling novelty items.  
     
     
         8 . The method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the step of forming said displacement members further includes the step of forming said members out of plastic.