Box wine aeration accessory

Abstract

The invention comprises a carrier used in an aeration assembly to assist a user in dispensing wine from a box through a spigot to flow into an aeration device and into a drinking vessel.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a box of wine, said wine box comprising a spigot, and an aeration device comprising a body, the apparatus comprising: a handle portion and a gripping portion wherein: said handle portion has an upper region and a lower region wherein said upper region is adapted to hang from the spigot of the box of wine and said lower region is adapted to carry said gripping portion; wherein the handle portion comprises a flattened surface that progressively widens from the upper region of the handle portion to the lower region of the handle portion; and said gripping portion is adapted to accept the body of the aeration device.

2. A method of using the apparatus of claim 1 comprising the steps of: hanging the handle portion of the apparatus on said spigot; inserting the body of the aeration device into the gripping portion of said apparatus; holding a glass below said body of the aeration device; and opening said spigot to permit wine to flow through the body of the aeration device and into said glass.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an exit aperture defined in the aeration device and an exit aperture stopper insert.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 1, shown in situ; and

(3) FIG. 3 is a front view of a variant of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, again shown in situ.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(4) The invention comprises a carrier 10 used in an aeration assembly 12 to assist a user in dispensing wine from a box 14 through a spigot 16 to flow into an aeration device 18 and into a drinking vessel.

(5) As seen in FIG. 1, carrier 10 has a handle portion 20 and a gripping portion 22. Handle portion 20 has a flattened surface 20A that progressively widens into gripping portion 22. FIG. 1 also illustrates a stopper insert 24, discussed further infra, which is preferably attached to carrier 10 by way of an attachment cord 26 or the like.

(6) Turning to FIG. 2, carrier 10 is shown as part of assembly 12. That is, carrier 10 in hung from spigot 16 extending from box 14. Flattened surface 20A lies flat against box 14. Gripping portion 22 is designed to grip the exterior surface of aeration device 18.

(7) In a preferred embodiment, handle 20 has an overall length of 3.883 inches such that it extends approximately 2.28 inches below the spigot 16. Gripping portion 22 has an outer diameter of 2.541 inches to accommodate popular and commercially-available wine aerating devices. Other sizes and shapes should be understood as within the scope of the invention depending on the variety of spigot 16 being employed, the distance between spigot 16 and the bottom of box 14, and the configuration of device 18, among other design factors.

(8) Handle 20 and gripping portion 22 are preferably made of a material selected for the desired stretch and gripping characteristics. Handle 20 and gripping portion 22 are shown as integral to one another, but may be assembled or attached to one another in any appropriate manner.

(9) Referring now to stopper insert 24, it may extend from gripping portion 22 and provides the user with a means to mitigate the spillage incidental to wine aerators and box wines generally. Stopper 24 is designed to be inserted within the exit aperture of wine aerator 18. In a preferred embodiment, stopper 24 comprises an enclosed well for the purpose of containing any additional spilled wine.

(10) In addition, it should be noted that while a first embodiment and variations of same are disclosed herein, other embodiments may employ a rope or chain or other appropriate hanging device.

(11) A method of operation as generally discussed herein is also understood to form a part of the invention.

(12) The present invention has been described in sufficient detail to allow a person of skill in the art to make and use the device. It should also be understood to include all variants and equivalents to the apparatus and method disclosed.