Gas Dispensing Device and Method

Abstract

A gas dispensing device ( 1 ) is provided for injecting inert gas ( 13 ) into previously opened containers of perishable liquids to prevent subsequent oxidation of the liquids, such as wine. The dispensing device comprising a surface mountable means for supporting a gas conduit pipe and a gas dispensing nozzle in generally vertical relation thereto, in which the conduit pipe ( 4 ) is connectable at one end to a source of gas and at an opposite end to a compressible actuating gas dispensing nozzle ( 6 ) which includes an actuable valve ( 22 ). The nozzle is adapted to engage an open end of a container, preferably a wine bottle ( 2 ), at its operatively lower end and the dispensing device is characterized in that the nozzle includes at least one gas discharge outlet ( 9 ) in which the outlet is orientated off-centre to a vertical axis of the nozzle and is operatively locatable within the container and in which the nozzle includes at least one escape passage ( 12 ) for operatively facilitating release of excess gas from the container and in which operative movement of the container in a generally upwards direction against the compressible nozzle actuates the valve and releases gas into the container.

1 . A gas dispensing device ( 1 ) for injecting inert gas ( 13 ) into previously opened containers of perishable liquids, the dispensing device comprising a surface mountable means for supporting a gas conduit pipe ( 4 ) and a gas dispensing means ( 6 ) in generally vertical relation thereto, in which the conduit pipe is connectable at one end to a source of gas and at an opposite end to the nozzle, the dispensing device being characterized in that the nozzle is a compressible actuating gas dispensing nozzle ( 6 ) which includes an actuable valve ( 22 ) and in which nozzle is adapted to engage an open end of a container at its operatively lower end, and in which the nozzle includes at least one gas discharge outlet ( 9 ), the outlet being orientated off-centre to a vertical axis of the nozzle and is operatively locatable within the container and in which the nozzle includes at least one escape passage for operatively facilitating release of excess gas from the container and in which operative movement of the container in a generally upwards direction against the compressible nozzle actuates the valve and releases gas into the container. 
     
     
         2 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in  claim 1  in which the container is a wine bottle ( 2 ). 
     
     
         3 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in  claims 1  and  2  in which the perishable liquid is wine. 
     
     
         4 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the gas ( 13 ) is an inert gas such as argon or carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         5 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the surface is a wall or counter top. 
     
     
         6 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the surface mountable means for supporting a gas conduit comprises a bracket structure ( 3 ) which extends in generally horizontal relation to the surface. 
     
     
         7 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in  claim 6  in which the bracket structure is secured to the surface by means of bolts or any other suitable means. 
     
     
         8 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in  claims 5 ,  6  and  7  in which the bracket is supported by a surrounding flange ( 5 ), the flange being connectable to a surface. 
     
     
         9 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the gas conduit pipe comprises a flexible and insulated length of piping suitable for conducting gas. 
     
     
         10 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the gas outlet of the nozzle comprises a short tubular extension ( 10 ) terminating in a gas outlet aperture ( 9 ) and which extends outwardly at an angle from a generally vertically extending tubular formation ( 11 ). 
     
     
         11 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the compressible nozzle is compressible between a compressed position and an extended, position and in which the operatively lower end ( 7 ) of the nozzle is hardened in order to facilitate engagement with the container in use and in which the nozzle includes resiliently compressible side portions ( 8 ). 
     
     
         12 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in any of one of the preceding claims in which the nozzle includes a slightly tapered operatively lower end in order to facilitate engagement and alignment with an open end of a container. 
     
     
         13 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in  claim 12  in which the container is a wine bottle. 
     
     
         14 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the at least one gas dispensing passage ( 12 ) comprises an angled passage terminating at one end at the operatively lower end of the nozzle and at terminating at the other end at a position located outside of the container in use. 
     
     
         15 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the source of gas is a pressurized cylinder or capsule containing gas. 
     
     
         16 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the operatively lower end of the nozzle is extended into a needle-like formation ( 16 ) for penetrating a sealable opening ( 15 ) on an operatively upper surface of a champagne ( 15 ) or sparkling wine bottle stopper secure in position on a bottle. 
     
     
         17 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in  claim 16  in which the sealable opening of the champagne or sparkling wine bottle stopper includes a one-way valve. 
     
     
         18 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in  claims 16  and  17  in which the needle-like formation includes a gas discharge outlet aperture at its operatively lower end ( 17 ), and in which the gas outlet is aperture is positioned at an angle off-centre to the central vertical axis of the nozzle. 
     
     
         19 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in  claims 16  to  18  in which the needle-like formation ( 16 ) fits snugly within the opening ( 15 ) of the stopper. 
     
     
         20 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in claimed in  claim 1  in which the gas dispensing device is adapted for refilling portable gas dispensing containers. 
     
     
         21 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in  claim 20  in which the portable gas dispensing containers are typical pressurized aerosol cans ( 19 ) having a gas dispensing spout ( 20 ) including a one way valve covered by a removable actuator cap. 
     
     
         22 . A gas dispensing device as claimed in  claims 1 ,  20  and  21  in which the nozzle ( 21 ) is adapted at its operatively lower end to receive the open end of an exposed dispensing spout of the portable gas container, with the actuator cap removed, in sealable engagement. 
     
     
         23 . A method for refilling a portable gas dispensing container using a dispensing device claimed in  claims 1  and  20 ,  21  and  22  with gas including the steps of removing the actuator cap to expose the dispensing spout; coupling the spout with the gas outlet aperture of the nozzle in sealable engagement to create a flow communication and operatively moving the container in a generally upwards direction to actuate the valves of the nozzle and the spout to release gas into the container until pressure equilibrium is achieved. 
     
     
         24 . A method of preserving perishable liquids contained within an opened container by injecting inert gas into the open container comprising the steps of locating an open end of the container over the operatively lower end of the compressible nozzle of the gas dispensing device claimed in  claims 1  to  15 , the nozzle characterized in that it includes a gas outlet means which is generally off-set from the central axis of the nozzle; operatively moving the container in a generally upwards direction in use and actuating the valve within the nozzle to release gas into container. 
     
     
         25 . A method of preserving perishable liquids as claimed in  claim 24  in which the perishable liquid is wine. 
     
     
         26 . A method of preserving perishable liquids as claimed in  claims 24  and  25  in which the container is a wine bottle. 
     
     
         27 . A method of preserving perishable liquids as claimed in  claims 24  to  26  in which the inert gas is argon or carbon dioxide.