BOTTLING SYSTEM

Abstract

A container system for liquids, including an in-container mixer/aerator in the exit throat of the container. The mixer/aerator is a cylinder, having axial peripheral grooves, and and axial central bore, divided by axial vanes.

Claims

1. A container system for liquids, comprising: a. a container for a liquid, b. a throat on the container which allows liquid to be pored form the container, c. a mixer/aerator in the throat of the bottle, d. said mixer/aerator having a cylindrical outer surface, e. said mixer/aerator having a plurality of axial grooves around the entire periphery of the cylindrical outer surface, f. said mixer/aerator having an axial bore, g. said mixer/aerator having an axial divider, that divides the bore into a plurality of axial sub-bores.

2. A container system as recited in claim 1, wherein the divider comprises an plurality of flat vanes connected to one another at the axis of the mixer/aerator.

3. A container system as recited in claim 1, wherein the divider comprises an plurality of curves vanes connected to one another at the axis of the mixer/aerator.

4. A container system as recited in claim 1, wherein the liquid is wine.

5. A mixer/aerator, comprising: a. a cylindrical outer surface, b. a plurality of axial grooves around the entire periphery of the cylindrical outer surface, c. an axial bore, d. an axial divider, that divides the bore into a plurality of axial sub-bores.

6. A mixer/aerator as recited in claim 5, wherein the divider comprises an plurality of flat vanes connected to one another at the axis of the mixer/aerator.

7. A mixer/aerator as recited in claim 5, wherein the divider comprises an plurality of curves vanes connected to one another at the axis of the mixer/aerator.

8. A mixer/aerator as recited in claim 5, wherein the liquid is wine.

9. A method for mixing and aerating a liquid, comprising the step of: a. pouring a liquid from a container through the throat of the container, and through a mixer/aerator positioned in the throat of the container, b. said mixer/aerator, comprising: i. a cylindrical outer surface, ii. a plurality of axial grooves around the entire periphery of the cylindrical outer surface, iii. an axial bore, iv. an axial divider, that divides the bore into a plurality of axial sub-bores.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the divider comprises an plurality of flat vanes connected to one another at the axis of the mixer/aerator.

11. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the divider comprises an plurality of curves vanes connected to one another at the axis of the mixer/aerator.

12. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the liquid is wine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a sectional front elevation view, taken along view I-I of FIG. 1A, of a container system for liquids, showing the location of the in-container mixer/aerator in the exit throat of the container,

[0018] FIG. 1A is a plan view of a container system for liquids shown in FIG. 1,

[0019] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a mixer embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0022] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0023] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0024] FIG. 7 is a top view of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention, and

[0025] FIG. 8 is a section view, taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0026] FIG. 9 is a top view of a variation of the invention in which the axial internal vanes are curved instead of flat, and

[0027] FIG. 10 is top view of the mixer/aerator as seen through the open end of the bottle 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Referring first to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a sectional front elevation view, taken along view I-I of FIG. 1A, of a container system for liquids, showing the location of the in-container mixer/aerator in the exit throat of the container. The bottling system, denoted generally by the numeral 10, includes a bottle 11, that includes a hollow body 12 and a neck 14. The body 12 contains a liquid 16, such as wine. The neck 14 surrounds a hollow bore 18 that allows the liquid 16 to exit the bottle 11.

[0029] At the outboard end of the bore 18, is a cork 20 that is removable to allow the liquid 16 to be poured from the bottle 11.

[0030] Inward of the cork is a mixer 22, that includes axial channels 24 that allow liquid to turbulently exit the bore 18, and air to enter the bore 18. The turbulent exit of the liquid 16 enhances the “breathing” of the exiting liquid 16.

[0031] FIG. 1A is a plan view of a container system for liquids shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a mixer embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0035] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0036] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0037] FIG. 7 is a top view of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0038] FIG. 8 is a section view, taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, of a mixer, shown in FIG. 2, embodying the principles of the present invention,

[0039] FIG. 9 is an top view of a variation of the invention in which the axial internal vanes are curved instead of flat, and

[0040] FIG. 10 is top view of the mixer/aerator as seen through the open end of the bottle 11.