Device for preserving beverages

Abstract

A closure element for liquid containers, in particular bottles, includes a stopper engaging the opening of the liquid container (e.g., a neck of a bottle) and a cap (5) covering the edge of the neck opening, the stopper including an inlet channel passing therethrough and optionally an outlet channel, the inlet channel and optionally the outlet channel (42) are respectively provided with an inlet valve or outlet valve, which may be a pressure relief valve (21).

Claims

1-19: (canceled)

20. A closure element for a liquid container, in particular a bottle, comprising a stopper engaging the neck opening of the liquid container and a cap covering the edge of the neck opening, said stopper comprising an inlet channel passing therethrough and an outlet channel, wherein the inlet channel and the outlet channel are respectively provided with an inlet valve or outlet valve configured as a pressure relief valve, wherein the stopper comprises a stopper base comprised of an elastomer, has at least one sealing lip on its outer circumference and forms the sealing body of the inlet and outlet valve, and is deflectable by applied overpressure.

21. A closure element according to claim 20, wherein the inlet valve and the outlet valve are operable independently of each other.

22. A closure element according to claim 20, wherein the sealing body comprises a sleeve that is radially expandable by the applied overpressure.

23. A closure element according to claim 20, wherein the inlet channel opens eccentrically into the container opening or the neck of the bottle.

24. A closure element according to claim 20, wherein the inlet channel comprises an eccentrically disposed end portion protruding from the stopper.

25. A closure element according to claim 20, wherein the cap comprises a substantially central inlet opening in connection with the inlet channel for attaching or connecting a protective gas source.

26. A closure element according to claim 25, wherein the cap comprises an annular outlet opening located radially outside the inlet opening and communicating with the outlet channel.

27. A closure element according to claim 26, wherein the outlet channel, via at least one radial bore, opens into an outlet chamber communicating with the environment via the outlet opening.

28. A closure element according to claim 26, wherein the inlet opening and optionally the outlet opening are formed in a cap base body connected to the stopper.

29. A closure element according to claim 20, wherein at least one portion of the outlet channel is formed in an insert inserted in a recess of the stopper.

30. A closure element according to claim 29, wherein the insert forms the protruding end portion of the inlet channel.

31. A closure element according to claim 29, wherein the insert comprises an outlet valve.

32. A closure element according to claim 20, wherein the inflow opening of the outlet channel is disposed eccentrically or diametrically to the eccentric mouth of the inlet channel.

33. A closure element according to claim 20, wherein two retaining clamps are pivotally fastened to the cap.

34. A device for preserving liquids in the household with the aid of a protective gas, comprising at least one handheld device connectable to, or comprising, a gas reservoir and having its own valve alternatively releasing or retaining the protective gas in order to respectively release or retain the discharge of the protective gas from a discharge-side end of the handheld device, and optionally a nozzle controlling the gas flow, and further comprising a container closure according to claim 20.

35. A device according to claim 34, wherein the valve of the handheld device comprises an actuating member designed as a valve member displaceable against the force of a spring or cooperating therewith.

36. A device according to claim 34, wherein the container closure comprises a protruding mandrel in the region of the inlet opening, which displaces the actuating member of the valve of the handheld device when placing the discharge-side end of the handheld device to the inlet opening, and opens the valve.

37. A device according to claim 34, wherein the inlet valve and the outlet valve of the closure system, and the valve of the handheld device, close automatically when removing the handheld device.

38. A closure element according to claim 28, wherein the cap base body connected by being plugged into the stopper base body.

39. A closure element according to claim 29, wherein the insert is plugged into a recess of the stopper base body.

40. A closure element according to claim 20, wherein the closure element is configured for a liquid container that comprises a bottle, the inlet valve and the outlet valve are operable independently of each other; the sealing body comprises a sleeve that is radially expandable by the applied overpressure; the inlet channel opens eccentrically into an opening of the bottle or the neck of the bottle; the inlet channel comprises an eccentrically disposed end portion protruding from the stopper; the cap comprises a substantially central inlet opening in connection with the inlet channel for attaching or connecting a protective gas source; the cap comprises an annular outlet opening located radially outside the inlet opening and communicating with the outlet channel; and the outlet channel, via at least one radial bore, opens into an outlet chamber communicating with the environment via the outlet opening.

Description

[0025] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by way of exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the drawing. Therein,

[0026] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a handheld device including a gas reservoir;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a configuration of a bottle closure unit according to the invention in an exploded illustration;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the bottle closure unit according to FIG. 2 in a state inserted in the neck of a bottle;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a modified configuration of the bottle closure unit in a state inserted in the neck of a bottle; and

[0030] FIG. 5 a sectional view of the bottle closure unit according to FIG. 2 in the actuated state with the handheld device attached.

[0031] FIG. 1 depicts a handheld device 1 that serves to receive a protective gas reservoir 2 and to controlledly discharge the protective gas via a discharge opening 3. The handheld device 1 comprises a housing 4 closed on its rear side by a cap 5. In the removed state of the housing 4 plus cap 5, a protective gas reservoir 2 such as a gas cartridge can be inserted into the protective gas reservoir reception 19. The handheld device 1 further comprises a piercing element 6 including a hollow needle 7 protruding in the direction of the gas reservoir 2 and adapted to pierce a sealing cap 8 of the gas reservoir 2. In the pierced state, the interior of the gas reservoir 2 communicates with the valve chamber 9 of a valve 10 via the hollow needle 7. The valve comprises a valve member 12, which is displaceable in the axial direction against the force of a spring 11 and whose sealing surface, in the closed state of the valve, rests against a valve seat formed on a component 13. The valve closing member 12 comprises a protrusion 14 having a stop surface cooperating with an actuating pin 15. The actuating pin 15 extends as far as to the discharge opening 3, and there provides an abutment surface 16 cooperating with the container closure through a mandrel, which will be explained in more detail below. When placing the handheld device 1 on the inlet opening of the container closure, the actuating pin 15 is rearwardly displaced in the sense of arrow 17 and, via the protrusion 14, actuates the valve closing member 12, thus releasing the gas flow from the protective gas reservoir 2 via the hollow needle 7, through a nozzle 20, the valve chamber 9, the opened valve seat on the component 13, a flow chamber 18, and the discharge opening 3. As already mentioned, gas flows through the nozzle 20 following the hollow needle 7, the flow cross section of which nozzle decreases in the flow direction such that the volume flow of the gas will be reduced accordingly. A pressure relief valve 21 protects the container to be filled with protective gas from excessive pressure.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates the closure according to the invention, via which the protective gas discharged from the handheld device 1 is introduced into the closed container. The closure comprises a stopper 22, which is substantially comprised of a stopper base body 23, about whose circumference two circumferential sealing lips 24 are formed. The sealing lips 24 cooperate with the inner wall of the neck of the bottle in the state engaging the neck of the bottle, in order to appropriately seal the closure. The stopper base body 23 comprises an annular, flange-like protrusion 25 departing from the stopper 22 and covering the edge of the bottle opening, thus forming a part of the closure cap. The stopper base body 23 is made of an elastomeric material.

[0033] The bottle closure further comprises a cap portion 26 made of plastic or any other hard material, which can be inserted or pushed into the stopper base body 23, the necessary holding force being ensured by the protrusion 27 engaging a suitable recess 28 of the stopper base body 23. The closure further comprises a terminating ring 29 to be inserted into the cap portion 26, a counter-ring 30, and a combined inlet and outlet unit 31, which can be inserted or plugged into the stopper base body 23.

[0034] The closure illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises an inlet channel and an outlet channel each with the associated inlet valve or outlet valve, respectively. The inlet channel plus inlet valve serves to conduct the protective gas delivered by the handheld device 1 through the closure into the container, in particular the bottle. The outlet channel plus optional outlet valve serves to allow the air present in the container, in particular the bottle, to escape where flushing of the container is desired. The inlet opening of the closure is formed on the cap portion 26 and denoted by 32. Protective gas introduced via the inlet opening 32 subsequently flows through bores 33 depicted in broken lines and opening on the circumference of a mandrel 34. In the state of the cap portion 26 inserted in the stopper base body 23, the mandrel 34 is surrounded by a sleeve-shaped sealing body 35 formed in one piece with the stopper base body 23. The sealing body 35 seals the mouths of the bores 33. As long as an appropriate gas pressure is applied to the mouths of the bores 33, the sealing body 35 is radially expanded, allowing gas to flow through an annular space forming between the outer surface of the mandrel 34 and the inner surface of the sealing body 35. After this, the gas reaches the combined inlet and outlet unit 31, and there flows through an end portion 36 of the inlet channel into the interior of the container.

[0035] If flushing of the container interior is desired, the combined inlet and outlet unit 31 comprises an outlet valve 37, which includes a flexible sealing cap 38 inserted in a bush-shaped part 39. In the assembled state, the bush-shaped part 39 is in turn inserted in a respective recess 40 of the combined inlet and outlet unit 31. The bush-shaped part 39 comprises two bores 41, via which the gas escaping from the container flows, wherein the sealing cap 38 covering the bores 41 is elastically deflected at a suitable overpressure in order to release the gas flow through the outlet channel 42. The outlet channel 42 opens into a connection channel 43 formed in the stopper base body 23 and opening into an annular chamber 44 provided in the cap portion 26. The annular chamber 44, via radial bores 45, is in turn connected to an annular outlet chamber 46 provided in the terminating ring 29. The gas is thus able to escape to the outside via the outlet chamber 46 and the outlet opening 47.

[0036] FIG. 3 depicts the closure illustrated in FIG. 2 in the assembled state inserted in a bottle 48. As soon as an appropriate gas pressure is applied to the inlet opening 32, the inlet valve, which is schematically denoted by 49, opens such that gas enters the interior 50 of the bottle via the end portion 36 of the inlet channel. An appropriate gas pressure is building up in the gas volume of the partially filled bottle 48 until the outlet valve 37 is opened and the respective overpressure is able to escape through the outlet channel 42 and the outlet opening 47. The end portion 36 of the inlet channel is disposed eccentrically and protrudes from the stopper 22 so as to cause a circular flow in the interior 50 of the bottle 48 to promote flushing of the gas volume. The escape of the gas from the interior 50 of the bottle 48 also takes place eccentrically, namely via the outlet valve 37 disposed diametrically to the inlet channel 36. Flushing of the gas volume, i.e. the escape of the air present in the interior 50 of the bottle 48, is thus enabled. At the same time, an overpressure is maintained in the interior 50 of the bottle 48 clue to the design of the outlet valve 37.

[0037] FIG. 4 depicts a modified configuration of the bottle closure, in which no outlet channel, and hence no outlet valve, are provided. The bottle closure is, in particular, suitable for carbonated beverages such as champagne, with which an overpressure in the bottle interior 50 is to be generated in the first place. As in contrast to the illustration according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottle closure now comprises two pivotally arranged retaining clamps 51 designed to engage from behind a circumferential shoulder 52 provided on the neck of the bottle. As in contrast to the configuration according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the stopper base body 23 does not comprise a connection channel such that the escape of gas from the interior 50 of the bottle 48 via the outlet channel 42 is not possible.

[0038] In another modification of the closure, which is not illustrated, an outlet channel 42 may be provided, yet no outlet valve 37. In such a configuration, flushing of the gas volume of the bottle 48 is possible. However, no build-up of an overpressure in the interior 50 of the bottle 48 is provided.

[0039] An inert gas such as argon, and/or CO.sub.2 is, for instance, provided as protective gas filled into the interior of the bottle. Preferred are gases that are heavier than air such that the protective gas will settle on the surface of the liquid present in the bottle 48 in order to prevent oxidation processes. Furthermore, the use of a protective gas heavier than air will cause the protective gas to remain in the bottle even in a configuration comprising an outlet channel, yet no outlet valve.

[0040] FIG. 5 depicts the handheld device 1 in a position placed on the inlet opening 32 of the bottle closure. The bottle closure is represented in the configuration according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cooperation of the handheld device 1 with the inlet opening 32 of the closure depicted in FIG. 5 applying in the same manner for the modified configuration of the bottle closure according to FIG. 4 or the further modified configuration without outlet valve.

[0041] From FIG. 5, it is apparent that a protruding mandrel 53 disposed in the region of the inlet opening 32 displaces the actuating pin 15 of the handheld device 1 rearwardly in the sense of arrow 54 when attaching the handheld device 1, thus causing the valve 10 of the handheld device 1 to be opened and the gas flow from the protective gas reservoir 2 to be released.