This invention relates to a device for storing liquids of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim.

In particular, this invention relates to a device for storing liquids, such as wines, also including, therefore, gaseous substances contained in them.

A similar device is described in the patent application DE-A-1782567.

As is well known, many liquids are stored for a long time, keeping their original physical and organoleptic characteristics, if the liquid itself does not come into contact with oxygen.

In particular, this aspect is predominant as far as regards the storage of valuable liquids, such as wine.

Wine, in fact, is typically stored and distributed in bottles or containers, for example demijohns, that are hermetically sealed with various types of stoppers. This sealing also enables some types of wine to age thanks to chemical reactions in the absence of oxygen that guarantee the alteration, but also the correct preservation, of the wine’s original aroma.

Once the seal is removed, however, the liquid comes into contact with oxygen through the free surface in contact with the atmosphere. Once released, the wine only retains its freshness for a few hours and, if not consumed within that time, it begins to lose its aroma and particular characteristics.

Logically, this common drawback increases in importance when the liquid constitutes a high-quality wine, possibly an aged wine.

There are many methods, known in the current state of the art, to mitigate losing a wine’s quality following the removal of seals. The container can be re-corked, for example with a bottle, with the consequence that, however, the surface of the liquid in contact with the air, and therefore with oxygen, is large because, when closed, oxygen is trapped inside it.

Other stoppers and devices, however, configured to create a vacuum inside the liquid containment chamber are known. However, a typical drawback of such stoppers or devices is that the vacuum application procedure evaporates, at least in part, the alcohol and the essences that infuse the wine with its perfume.

Among the various pieces of equipment available on the market, there are also special guns that saturate the chamber with inert gases through the use of pressurised canisters.

However, the major drawbacks of the latter technique are mainly due to the fact that, first of all, it is necessary to fill the canisters and, in addition, the canisters themselves have resistance limits dependent on the environment in which they are stored.

In addition to all the above-mentioned drawbacks, it should be added that fine wines, typically very old ones, can form lees that, deposited on the bottom, are neither aesthetic nor pleasing to the palate. Therefore, in these cases, it is good to use a decanter that keeps the lees on the bottom and enables the wine to be properly oxygenated. Of course, it is, in any case, necessary to use the wine quickly in order to avoid any unwanted dispersion of its aromas.

In this situation, the technical task underlying this invention is to devise a device for storing liquids that is capable of substantially overcoming at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

As part of said technical task, it is an important purpose of the invention to obtain a device for storing liquids that increases the autonomy of the liquids contained therein, especially after opening, keeping the aromas and organoleptic characteristics of the liquid.

Another important purpose of the invention is to provide a device for storing liquids that does not require the use of external elements, such as canisters, and that enables all the storage operations necessary to be carried out while avoiding the release of impurities that may settle on the bottom.

The technical task and specified purposes are achieved by a device for storing liquids as claimed in the appended claim 1 .

Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and benefits of the invention will be clarified in the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a side section view of a device for storing liquids according to the invention in a first embodiment with external pressurising means and a one- piece casing;

Fig. 2 illustrates a side section view of a device for storing liquids according to the invention in a first embodiment with external pressurising means and a modular casing;

Fig. 3 is a side section view of a device for storing liquids according to the invention in a second embodiment with pressurising means inside the tank;

Fig. 4 represents a side section view of a device for storing liquids according to the invention in a third embodiment with internal pressurising means and a piston formed by the pressurising means; and

Fig. 5 shows a side section view of a device for storing liquids according to the invention in a fourth embodiment with internal pressurising means integrated into the base of the casing.

In this document, when measurements, values, shapes, and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism) are associated with words like “approximately” or other similar terms, such as“almost” or“substantially”, they shall be understood as without errors of measurement or imprecisions due to errors of production and/or manufacturing and, above all, without a slight divergence from the value, measurement, shape, or geometric reference with which it is associated. For example, if associated with a value, such terms preferably indicate a divergence of no more than 10% of the value itself.

Furthermore, when terms such as“first”, “second”, “upper”, “lower”, “main”, and “secondary” are used, they do not necessarily identify an order, relationship priority or relative position, but they can simply be used to distinguish different components more clearly from one another.

Unless otherwise stated, the measurements and data reported in this text shall be considered as performed in International Standard Atmosphere ICAO (ISO 2533: 1975).

With reference to the figures, the reference number 1 indicates, as a whole, the device for storing liquids according to the invention.

The device 1 is designed for storing liquids of various kinds and for a very long time. In particular, the device 1 is preferably designed to enable liquids that are particularly sensitive to contact with air, especially oxygen in particular, such as wines, to be stored. In addition, the wines that can be properly stored include still or sparkling wines, with more or less intense aromatic traits and at different degrees of ageing.

The device 1 preferably comprises at least one casing 2. The casing 2 basically defines the containment tank for the liquid.

Therefore, the casing 2 may be of various shapes and sizes provided that, in each case, it comprises at least one cavity or one appropriate space for accommodating the liquid substance. As already mentioned, the substance is typically liquid, but not exclusively. In fact, the liquid may contain traces of gas, such as carbon dioxide, as is commonly found in wines such as sparkling wines.

The casing 2 can, therefore, have a bottle shape, cylinder shape, or a more square shape typical of a dispenser.

Appropriately, the casing 2 defines a closed chamber 20.

The closed chamber 20 basically corresponds to the cavity or space described above and, in fact, is designed to contain the liquid.

The closed chamber 20 is preferably a chamber hermetically separated from the outside in such a way that the liquid is insulated from the outside when inserted into the closed chamber 20.

The casing 2 preferably comprises a main body 22, a cover 23, and a base 24.

The main body 22, cover 23, and base 24 are preferably designed to form the closed chamber 20 when connected to each other.

In substance, the main body 22 is preferably the portion designed to enclose a large part, if not all, the liquid, and is usually the central portion of the casing 2.

The cover 23 is preferably arranged, in use, above the main body 22 in such a way that, when the device 1 is rested on a plane, the liquid tends to flow by gravity towards the main body 22 and the cover 23 is primarily intended to close the casing 2 to form the closed chamber 20.

The casing 2 can, moreover, consist of one piece and the closed chamber 20 can correspond to a cavity inside the casing 20 that is also closed, similarly to what is shown in Fig. 1 .

In this case, the main body 22, cover 23, and base 24 are attached together, without any possibility of detachment, or they are two portions of the same casing 2.

On the other hand, configurations can be provided wherein the main body and base consist of one piece and the cover is removably attached to the main body.

Preferably, the casing 2 is basically modular. Therefore, it can define a basically tubular shape wherein the main body 22 defines the side walls and the base 24 and the cover 23 are walls designed to plug the main body 22 at two ends.

Preferably, the cover 23 and base 24 are designed to be hermetically attached to the main body 22. For example, they can be attached to the main body 22 by interlocking and can each include gaskets designed to ensure the hermetic seal of the assembled casing 2, as shown in Figures 2-5.

In addition, the main body 22, cover 23, and base 24 may comprise different or identical materials. In a preferred configuration, for example, the main body 22 is made of glass, e.g. transparent, so as to enable the inside of the casing 2 to be seen, while the cover 23 and base 24 are made of polymer material. Of course, the base 24 and cover 23 could also be made of glass, for example, or the main body 22 could be made of polymer material or something else.

In any case, the base 24 preferably defines a resting surface 24a.

The resting surface 24a is preferably a part of the casing 2, in particular the base 24, and is external and intended to interact with external elements such as a resting plane on which the device 1 can be placed.

The resting surface 24a is preferably designed to enable the device 1 to be rested on a plane.

The casing 2 may, therefore, also comprise an access hole 21. The access hole 21 is preferably designed to enable access to the closed chamber 20 from the outside. If present, the access hole 21 is preferably arranged on the base 24, but could also be arranged in other positions.

Instead, the casing 2 may also include other access holes 21.

The device 1 also comprises an outlet 3.

The outlet 3 is preferably in fluidic through connection with the casing 2 and is designed to enable the dispensing of liquid from the casing 2 outside.

The outlet 3 preferably comprises at least one pipe designed to enable the liquid to flow in a direction predetermined by the direction of the pipe.

In addition, the outlet 3 may include a valve or tap designed to control the liquid’s flowing out of the casing.

The outlets 3 of this type are known in the current state of the art and are basically present on most of the liquid containers currently on the market, such as ordinary beer kegs for sale in supermarkets or in other packs of wine or the like.

The outlet 3, in any case, preferably enables the liquid outlet pipe to be opened or closed hermetically.

In addition, the outlet 3 may extend entirely outside the casing 2 or may be included, at least in part, in the casing 2. In addition, the outlet 3 can be integrated into the cover 23, for example it is preferably integrated into the configurations of the device 1 shown in Figures 2-5, or is removably attached to the cover 23, preferably in the configuration in Fig. 1 wherein the casing is a one-piece casing, so that it forms a sort of stopper for the casing 2.

This configuration can also enable the casing 2 to be coupled to different types of outlets 3 or dispensers.

The device 1 also comprises a piston 4. The piston 4 is preferably arranged inside the closed chamber 20 in such a way that the closed chamber 20 is hermetically divided into a first chamber portion 20a and a second chamber portion 20b.

The first chamber portion 20a and the second chamber portion 20b are basically parts of the closed chamber 20 separated from each other by the piston 4.

Both chamber portions 20a, 20b may therefore include liquid and/or gas. However, in general, the first chamber portion 20a preferably contains liquid, while the second chamber portion 20b contains, or may contain, gaseous substances, e.g. released by the liquid.

The first chamber 20a is preferably in fluidic through connection with the outlet 3. The second chamber 20b is, instead, preferably in fluid connection with the access hole 21 , if the latter is present.

The first chamber portion 20a, moreover, is preferably arranged in an elevated position in relation to the second chamber 20b, as shown in the Figures 1 -5.

Therefore, the liquid to be stored preferably, basically weighs on the piston 4 inside the first chamber portion 20a in such a way as to provide a liquid weight force on the piston 4.

The piston 4 itself, of course, produces its own weight force. The weight force of the piston 4 is oriented in such a way as to push the piston 4 away from the outlet 3.

In other words, the piston 4 is preferably pushed by its own weight force towards the bottom of the main body 22, i.e. towards the base 24. Since the base 24 substantially comprises a resting surface 24a, the piston 4 is preferably pushed by its own weight force towards the ground.

The piston 4 also preferably includes at least one gasket 41.

The gasket 41 is preferably designed to adhere to the walls of casing 2 in such a way as to hermetically separate the chamber portions 20a, 20b and generate a friction force between the piston 4 and the casing 2.

Therefore, the gasket 41 preferably produces a friction force that opposes the motion of the piston 4.

This gasket 41 can, therefore, be defined by an elastomeric O-ring or other elastomeric shapes, e.g. lip seals, or by an inner tube including, for example, the fluid inside. The fluid can, for example, consist of water with added vaseline oil.

If the casing 2 is cylindrical in shape, the device 1 may, therefore, basically have a vertical piston shape, wherein the liquid is placed above the piston 4 and the latter acts by exerting pressure on the liquid. The main body 22 preferably, therefore, forms a guide for the piston 4. The piston 4 moves inside the main body 22 and delimits the chamber portions 20a, 20b. In detail, the base 24, part of the main body 22, and said piston 4 delimit the second chamber portion 20b, while the cover 23, part of the main body 22, and the piston 40 delimit the first chamber portion 20a.

In addition, in particular, the piston 4 is designed to compress the liquid as a result of thrust pressure exerted on the piston 4.

In order to produce this thrust pressure, the device 1 also, advantageously, includes thrust means.

The thrust means are preferably designed to provide a thrust force on the piston 4 on command. In particular, preferably, the thrust force counteracts the weight force of the piston 4.

Among the various thrust means, mechanical control means can be provided, for example manual ones, including screw or rack and pinion rods. In this case, for example, the thrust means rod can access the casing 2 from the access hole 21 and can be operationally connected to the piston 4.

Furthermore, in order to move the rod, jacks with electric movement motors, also included in the base 24 or other means that can be controlled and programmed, may be provided. The thrust means preferably produce a thrust force that varies in a controlled manner when the piston 4 pushes the liquid towards the outlet 3. This contrivance makes it possible to balance, for example, the force imbalance resulting from the reduction in liquid weight force.

In the preferred embodiment, the thrust means include pressurising means 5.

The pressurising means 5 are preferably designed to vary the pressure, on command, inside the second chamber portion 20b.

In detail, they are mainly designed to increase the pressure inside the second chamber portion 20b, but could also be configured to reduce it.

In one embodiment, the pressurising means 5 are preferably in fluidic through connection with the access hole 21 and outside the closed chamber 20.

In this case, the pressurising means 5 preferably include a pump or compressor that can be controlled from the outside. This pump, or compressor, can be supplied in various ways as long as it enables the pressure inside at least part of the casing 2 to be managed.

In this configuration, the access hole 21 preferably includes a valve 210.

The valve 210 is preferably designed to enable the introduction of gas under pressure from the outside to the inside of the second chamber portion 20b.

Therefore, the valve 210 is basically preferably designed to enable the passage of gas from the pressurising means 5 to the second chamber portion 20b. The valve 210 preferably includes all the components necessary to ensure that its possible closure is hermetic and can, therefore, comprise its own gaskets. The valve 210 can, for example, be a two-way valve that is designed to enable both gas or air to enter or escape the second chamber portion 20b. Alternatively, the device 1 also comprises two holes 21 each equipped with non return valves or one-way valves in which the valve that enables gas to escape from the second chamber portion 20b is controlled under pressure.

In a third embodiment, shown in Figures 3 and 4 respectively, the pressurising means 5 are preferably arranged inside the second chamber portion 20b and can be controlled from the outside of the closed chamber 20.

For example, the pressurising means 5 could define a tank 50.

The tank 50 could be composed, for example, of an inflatable bag designed to occupy part of the second chamber portion 20b.

In this case, it is enough that the bag has at least one access along the casing 2 so that the pressure inside the bag can be controlled from the outside.

Depending on how it is inflated, the tank 50 may then engage or disengage part of the volume defined by the second chamber portion 20b in such a way as to increase or decrease the pressure inside it.

In particular, in the second configuration in Fig. 3, the pressurising means 5 are separated from the piston 4 and are designed to exert their pressure, if necessary, on the piston 4 itself.

In a third configuration, shown in Fig. 4, the pressurising means 5 and the piston 4 are the same or, to put it better, the pressurising means 5 may form the piston 4 itself. For example, the membrane that forms the tank 50 can define the piston 4 itself, while the second chamber portion 20b may be the same as volume enclosed inside the tank 50.

In this case, the piston 4, formed by the tank 50, preferably does not have a valve 210, but the pressure inside the first chamber portion 20a can still be controlled from the outside and be varied depending on the liquid comprised therein. Basically, the above-mentioned embodiment is similar to that of the common accumulators used in hydraulic plants.

The tank 50 can, therefore, also be used for two-piece casings 2.

In this case, for example, the pressurising means 5 are connected on the inside of the base 24 and access the outside via the access hole 21 arranged on the base 24.

The pressurising means 5 can adopt technology known in the current state of the art for pressure control. They can provide an electronic and automatic control of the pressure in order to ensure thresholds suitable for the liquid contained. They can be programmable. Or they can be manual and, for example, the pressurising means 5 can be operationally connected to at least one pressure gauge in order to measure the pressure inside the second chamber portion 20b.

In any case, the pressurising means 5, as mentioned, are designed to vary the pressure inside the second chamber portion 20b in such a way as to form, or not, a thrust pressure on the piston 4. This thrust pressure can be used to move the piston 4 and arrange the liquid under pressure for pure storage purposes or it can be used, at the same time, to move the piston 4 for the purpose of dispensing the liquid via the outlet 3. Logically, delivery takes place when the outlet 3 is open, i.e. when the valve at the outlet 3 enables the liquid, and possibly residual gas in the casing 2, to escape.

The pressurising means 5 preferably produce a thrust pressure that provides a thrust force on the piston 4 that counteracts the weight force of the piston 4 and that varies, in a controlled manner, when the piston 4 pushes the liquid towards the outlet 3.

When we talk about pressures and related forces, as known, we are referring to what is known especially with reference to Pascal’s law. In fact, the thrust force produced by the pressurising means 5 is, in the preferred embodiment in Fig. 1 , easily calculable as the product of the pressure exerted inside the second chamber portion 20b and the thrust area of the piston 4 itself.

In particular, the thrust force of the piston 4 is at least equal to the weight of the piston 4 itself and preferably greater than the weight force. When we compare forces, we refer to the intensities of the forces, understood as scalar quantities, and we do not consider the forces in the vector sense. More specifically, the thrust force of the piston 4 is at least equal to the sum of the weight force of the piston 4 and of the liquid weight force, i.e. the weight force of the liquid exerted by the liquid on the piston 4, and preferably greater than the sum of the weight forces.

Therefore, the thrust force and weight forces produce a force differential, given by the difference in the intensity of the thrust force and of the sum of the weight forces, and the pressurising means 5 are configured, preferably, to keep the force differential constant when the liquid flows out from the outlet 3.

This effect can be produced by reducing, in a controlled manner, the thrust pressure while the liquid flows out from the casing 2. Therefore, for example, the reduction in thrust force may be proportional to the reduction in liquid weight force relative to the liquid released or dispensed by the device 1.

Obviously, this is one possible solution among many enabled by the device 1 , which is extremely versatile and can be programmed as desired.

Furthermore, considering that the piston 4 may also comprise a gasket 41 , the force differential may also include the friction force and, therefore, it may be defined by the difference in intensity between the thrust force and the sum of the weight and friction forces over a pre-determ ined period of time. The pre-determ ined period of time may, for example, coincide with the time for dispensing the liquid from the casing 2, i.e. the time for moving the piston 4, or it may coincide with the time for pressurising the liquid inside the casing 2. In fact, it is preferable to take into account the fact that the friction force is a reactive force, i.e. only acting when a reciprocal movement between the piston 4 and the main body 22 is carried out.

In conclusion, the piston 4 may include, in the part interacting with the liquid and delimiting the first chamber portion 20a, a cavity or a concave profile designed to enable the deposit of any residues from the liquid and prevent such deposits from being dispensed from the outlet 3.

The device 1 can enable the production of dispensers 10 or cellars with irregular use in which several liquids with different characteristics can be stored.

For example, the dispenser 10 may include a plurality of compartments 10a. Each compartment 10a preferably defines its own operating temperature that can be controlled from the outside. These separate compartments are basically already known in the present state of the art and, therefore, are not described in detail. Advantageously, each of the compartments 10a of the dispenser includes at least one device 1 so that several liquids with different properties can be stored.

Each compartment 10a can, therefore, comprise a plurality of devices 1 .

In addition, the conformation of the devices 1 enables you to take advantage of the common cellars that contain bottles for housing devices 1 . In fact, the pressurising means 5, as mentioned, as well as ensuring the storage of liquids, enable the liquids to be dispensed in a controlled way.

The operation of the device for storing liquids 1 , previously described in structural terms, is as follows. Once the liquid has been inserted into the casing 2, it can be dispensed from the device 1 via the outlet 3.

As the liquid is dispensed and the amount of liquid inside the casing 2 is reduced, the piston 4 follows the liquid compressing it, avoiding excessively compressing the liquid and reducing the pressure, by means of the pressurising means 5, in proportion to the reduction in liquid weight force.

Depending on the liquid inside the casing 2, the pressurising means 5 can be configured to balance or increase the compression effect of the piston 4 on the liquid. For example, for carbonated wines, it may be appropriate to apply, by means of pressurising means 5, a pressure inside the second chamber portion 20b that produces higher force differentials than the configuration for still wines.

It is known, in fact, that some sparkling wines are preferably stored at higher pressures (and lower temperatures) than still, red wines. In general, the pressurising means 5, whether internal or external, enable the behaviour of the device 1 to be varied according to the liquid stored therein.

The device 1 makes it possible to perform a new liquid storage procedure comprising at least the introduction, actuation, and pressurising steps.

The liquid is preferably inserted into the casing 2 during the introduction step. For example, in order to introduce the liquid into the casing, simply remove the cover 23 and pour the liquid into the main body 22. Of course, the piston 4 is preferably lowered in such a way that it rests on the base 24. This last configuration can be obtained by cancelling the pressure inside the second chamber portion 20b or by imposing a depression. Depending on the pressure - positive, zero, or negative - that is set, the descent speed of the piston 4 can be increased or reduced.

Once the liquid has been introduced into the casing 2, the cover 23 can be closed again.

In the actuation step, the pressurising means 5 can, preferably, be activated in such a way that a thrust force at least equal to or greater than the sum of the piston weight force 4 and the liquid weight force is produced.

Preferably, the thrust force is equal to and greater than the sum of the weight forces with the friction forces also opposing the motion, at least for a predetermined period of time. As already mentioned, the predetermined period of time may coincide with the time for dispensing the liquid via the outlet 3, i.e. with the time for moving the piston 4.

In the pressurising step, the pressurising means 5 pressurise the liquid. In particular, the thrust force preferably exceeds the sum of the weight force of said piston 4 and the liquid weight force to place the liquid under pressure.

As already mentioned, if the gasket 41 is present, the thrust force exceeds the sum of the weight and friction forces exerted by the gasket during the possible displacement of the piston 4. In this case, the predetermined time is the time for placing the liquid under pressure.

The procedure may also comprise an additional control step.

During the control step, the pressurising means 5 preferably control the thrust force while the liquid is dispensed. In this regard, the thrust force preferably decreases in proportion to the reduction of the liquid weight force, if and when the liquid is dispensed, so as to dispense the remaining liquid homogeneously. This controlled reduction can enable the safe dispensing, preventing the liquid from being ejected outside with excessive pressure or the device 1 from exploding due to the excessive pressure to which it is subjected, e.g. the control valve at the outlet 3.

The device for storing liquids 1 according to the invention entails important advantages.

In fact, the device 1 enables the autonomy of the liquids contained therein to be increased, especially after opening, maintaining the aromas and organoleptic characteristics of the liquid.

This advantage, as already mentioned, is carried out by a device 1 that is able to adapt to the liquid and to the type of drink included inside, whether it is still or carbonated, aromatic, aged etc.

In addition, another important purpose of the invention is to enable the storage of liquids without using additional external elements, such as canisters, and to perform all the storage operations necessary while avoiding the release of impurities that may settle on the bottom.

The initial pressurising, i.e. after the liquid has been introduced, also makes it possible to remove any residual air inside the casing by simply keeping the outlet 3 open and waiting for the liquid to escape.

In conclusion, the device 1 makes it possible to produce dispensers 10 or cellars for irregular use in which, that is, various liquids, or wines - each contained in its own casing 2 and stored in a compartment 10a according to its needs and pressures - can be stored and dispensed on command when deemed appropriate. In this sense, it is no longer necessary to consume the whole bottle already opened, dispersing the characteristics of the wine itself. Instead, the wine can be consumed even after some time and in small qualities as the device 1 makes it possible to maintain the organoleptic and aromatic characteristics of the liquid substantially unchanged. Variations may be made to the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the inventive concept defined in the claims.

For example, although the description focuses mainly on liquids for consumption, the device 1 may also be used for storing other liquids. For example, the device 1 may be designed to store chemical liquids in such a way that even small quantities can be used due to their proper storage.

In addition, the embodiments described are not the only possible embodiments, but additional embodiments may be envisaged, for example, which combine the features that have already been described in a different way.

For example, the pressurising means 5 could be integrated within the base 24 and, therefore, the device 1 could integrate every element of the invention inside of it.

In this context, all details can be replaced by equivalent elements, and the materials, shapes, and dimensions may be any materials, shapes, and dimensions.