Method and Apparatus for Aerating Wine and Spirits

Abstract

A method and apparatus for aerating wine or spirits to reduce the astringency, or bitterness of wine or spirits. Astringency is often a result of tannins in wine or spirits, particularly noticeable in full bodied red wines. Aeration causes oxygen to dissolve in wine or spirits where it will oxidize tannin compounds, thereby reducing the astringent flavor. The method employs an apparatus wherein a hand held unit having a battery, switch or button, electrical wiring and electric motor cause rotation of a drive-shaft and aeration head. The aeration head is immersed in wine or spirits, the switch activated causing rotation of the aeration head creating a plurality of fine air bubbles resulting in large wine or spirit to air surface area simultaneous with stirring to ensure uniform oxygenation and aeration of wine or spirits throughout the container. The process may be extended until the desired reduction in astringency is achieved.

Claims

1. A hand-held device for aerating wine and spirits in a container such as a wine glass, the device comprising: a body having an interior and an exterior; the body having an electric motor and battery in the interior; the body with electric motor and battery in the interior dimensioned and configured to be held in the palm of such hand; a shaft connected to and rotated by the electric motor, the shaft extending from one end of the electric motor, extending out of the body; the shaft dimensioned and configured to extend a distance into such container to reach such wine or spirits; the shaft carrying thereupon an aeration head dimensioned and configured to be smaller than such container, whereby they may be extended into such container on such shaft and rotated to cause aeration of the wine or spirits;

2. The hand-held device for aerating wine and spirits of claim 1, wherein: the shaft has a length of 2 (50 mm) to 10 (250 mm).

3. The hand-held device for aerating wine and spirits of claim 1, wherein: the aeration head further comprises a wire helix.

4. The hand-held device for aerating wine and spirits of claim 3, wherein the wire helix completes more than one complete revolution about the shaft.

5. The hand-held device for aerating wine and spirits of claim 1, wherein: the aeration head further comprises: a plurality of angled blades.

6. The hand-held device for aerating wine and spirits of claim 1, further comprising: an activation switch having two positions, a first position in which the electric motor is not activated and a second position in which the electric motor is activated.

7. A method of aerating wine and spirits in a container, the method comprising the steps of: providing a hand-held electric wine and spirits aerator dimensioned and configured to be held in the palm of such hand, having an elongated rotating shaft dimensioned and configured to extend into such container to such wine or spirits, and further having an aeration head on such shaft; extending such shaft into such container until such aeration head reaches such wine or spirits; activating the electric wine and spirits aerator to rotate the shaft, thereby rotating the aeration head on such shaft, thereby aerating such wine or spirits, whereby such astringent flavors are reduced.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1A depicts a front view of the assembled wine and spirits aerator, with a first type of aeration head.

[0022] FIG. 1B depicts a cross-sectional view of the assembled wine and spirits aerator, with a first type of aeration head.

[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a second embodiment of the aeration head.

[0024] FIG. 3 depicts an isometric view of a third embodiment of the aeration head.

[0025] FIG. 4 depicts an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the aeration head.

[0026] FIG. 5 sets forth a process flow chart of the method of aerating wine and spirits using this invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 depicts the aerator with the aeration head immersed in wine or spirits providing aeration.

INDEX OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0028] Wine and Spirits Aerator Assembly 100 [0029] Housing 102 [0030] Electrical/switch or Button 104 [0031] Drive-shaft 106 [0032] Aeration Head, Single Whisk, First Embodiment 108 [0033] Battery Support 110 [0034] Battery 112 [0035] Electric Motor 114 [0036] Rotating Assembly, Second Embodiment 200 [0037] Drive-Shaft 202 [0038] Aeration Head, Second Embodiment, Double Whisk 204 [0039] Rotating Assembly, Third Embodiment 300 [0040] Drive-Shaft 302 [0041] Aeration Head, Third Embodiment, Turbine 304 [0042] Rotating Assembly, Fourth Embodiment 400 [0043] Drive-Shaft 402 [0044] Aeration Head, Fourth Embodiment, Impeller 404 [0045] Process Flow Diagram 500 [0046] Start: Provide aerator 502 [0047] Unit Operation: Immerse aeration head in wine or spirits 504 [0048] Unit Operation: Actuate rotation of aeration head 506 [0049] Unit Operation: Remove aeration head from wine or spirits 508 [0050] Decision by taste test: Is aeration achieved? 510 [0051] End: Process complete 512 [0052] Aeration device with the aeration head immersed in wine or spirits 600 [0053] Aeration device 602 [0054] Wine or spirits in a single serving container undergoing aeration 604

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a front view with accompanying cross-section of the first embodiment of the wine and spirits aeration device 100 with the first type of aeration head 108. The aeration device consists of a housing 102 which provides mechanical support to components of the aeration device including the battery support 110. The battery support provides mechanical support and electrical contacts to the battery 112. Wiring carries the electrical current from the battery support electrical contacts to the electrical contacts of the electrical switch 104 also affixed to the housing. The switch may be a momentary, normally open or maintained type. The switch allows the user to control when and for what duration the aerator will operate. When the switch is closed, electrical current is allowed to flow through wiring to the motor 114. The motor is also supported by the housing and is affixed to a drive-shaft. Thus, the motor rotates causing the drive-shaft to rotate. The drive-shaft projects from the housing and has affixed to the projected end the aeration head 108. The rotation of the drive-shaft causes rotation of the affixed aeration head 108. The aeration head in this embodiment is a helix that wraps to form a loop around the axis of rotation. As the helix is rotated by the drive shaft, the helix creates a vortex and draws air in the wine or spirits thereby aerating the wine or spirits in which the aeration device is immersed.

[0056] The housing 102 may be constructed from any number of structural materials including metals and plastics. The battery support may also be constructed from any number of structural materials including metals and plastics provided there is electrical isolation between the electrical contacts, sufficient restraining force to support a standard battery or batteries, and maintain sufficient pressure on the electrical contacts to sustain electrical current at low voltage (<20V). Wiring may be of any electrically conductive material such as copper or aluminum, and is typically coated with an electrically insulating material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The wiring may be crimped, soldered or any other means of creating electrical contact to the battery support, switch and motor. The switch is a subassembly of components that create an electrically conductive path when closed and are otherwise electrically open. The switch may be of the momentary type wherein constant pressure is required to remain in the closed position, or of the maintained type wherein a single actuation closes the switch and another actuation is required to open the switch. The motor is a direct-current, low voltage type appropriate for operation by standard batteries (<20V). The drive shaft and helical aeration head may be plated steel, stainless steel, other metal or plastic that are safe for food contact and durable.

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention wherein the rotating assembly 200 is comprised of a drive shaft 202 causes rotation of an aeration head 204 that is comprised of a double helix.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a third embodiment of the invention wherein the rotating assembly 300 is comprised of a drive shaft 302 causes rotation of an aeration head 304 that is comprised of a turbine wheel.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a fourth embodiment of the invention wherein the rotating assembly 400 is comprised of a drive shaft 402 causes rotation of an aeration head 404 that is comprised of a impeller.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 5, the is illustrated a process flow diagram 500 of the method of aerating wine or spirits with the present invention. [0061] Process step 502 is simply holding the aeration apparatus in one's hand. [0062] Process step 504 is immersing the aeration head in wine or spirits in a container such as a wine glass. [0063] Process step 506 is pressing the button or switch to apply electrical power to the motor thereby causing rotation of the shaft and the aeration head. [0064] Process step 508 removes the apparatus from the container. [0065] Process step 510 is a taste test to decide whether the wine or spirits is sufficiently aerated and is ready to enjoy or whether more aeration is required by returning to step 502 until the wine or spirits is sufficiently aerated. [0066] Process step 512 terminates the process.

[0067] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated the application 600 of the invention 602 with aeration head immersed in a single serving container of wine or spirits 604 providing rotation through the drive-shaft to the aeration head thereby aerating the wine or spirits.

[0068] Note that these methods are not mutually exclusive and in embodiments may be used together. Throughout this application, various publications, patents, and/or patent applications are referenced in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. The disclosures of these publications, patents, and/or patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties, and for the subject matter for which they are specifically referenced in the same or a prior sentence, to the same extent as if each independent publication, patent, and/or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0069] Methods and components are described herein. However, methods and components similar or equivalent to those described herein can be also used to obtain variations of the present invention. The materials, articles, components, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0070] Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in detail above, other embodiments are possible and the inventors intend these to be encompassed within this specification. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way. This disclosure is intended to be exemplary, and the claims are intended to cover any modification or alternative which might be predictable to a person having ordinary skill in the art.

[0071] Having illustrated and described the principles of the invention in exemplary embodiments, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described examples are illustrative embodiments and can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. Techniques from any of the examples can be incorporated into one or more of any of the other examples. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.