The described embodiments relate to a vessel for use as a decanter and its function in containing and preserving a liquid.

BACKGROUND

A decanter is a vessel that is used to hold and dispense a liquid (such as wine) which may contain sediment. The term decanter or decantation carafe is often used to refer to a vessel used to oxygenate alcoholic drinks before they are poured into a tankard or glass for consumption. The decantation operation usually consists in allowing the liquid poured from a bottle or tin, etc. to stand for a predetermined time in _the .decanter before being served!

In order to enhance the aromas and flavours of the liquid there is a need for good oxygenation and in the case of alcoholic beverages such as wine, reduction of the level of excess carbon dioxide contained within them. However, prolonged exposure can cause unpleasant toxins to accumulate and subsequently sour the liquid.

It is desired to address and ameliorate one or more disadvantages or shortcomings associated with existing decanters or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

SUMMARY

Described embodiments relate generally to a vessel which contains a liquid. Such vessels may be usable in decanting and distributing the liquid or for preservation of the liquid.

Some embodiments relate to a vessel for containing a liquid.- The vessel comprises: wall means defining an inner chamber; a closure substantially occluding a first opening of the inner chamber; and a plunger comprising a fluid conduit and a piston. The fluid conduit may pass through a second opening in the closure and is movable relative to the closure, or be fixed external to the vessel. The piston is received in the inner chamber, the piston is arranged for sealing contact with the wall means to define an enclosed fluid volume within the inner chamber between the piston and the wall. The fluid conduit fluidly communicates with automatic valve and dispensing end for dispensing fluid passing through the aperture from the enclosed fluid volume. The Automatic valve is also a means of advertising and promotion of the contained liquid.

The described vessel generally comprises an inner wall which provides an inner chamber with an opening. The vessel comprises a closure, which may be in frictional and/or fitting contact with the inner wall to inhibit the closure from falling out of the opening.

Some embodiments employ a plunger movable relative to the closure. The plunger may have a fluid conduit passing through a top portion of the closure and coupled to a plunger piston. The piston of the plunger may have an aperture which enables fluid communication between the volume below the plunger toase and the fluid conduit. In some embodiments, a pushing force on an actuable portion of the plunger is required to remove fluid volume from underneath the plunger piston. The fluid volume is subsequently, expelled through the fluid conduit via a one way valve positioned at a dispensing end of the fluid conduit. Alternative the plunger can be used to expel fluid through an external conduit attached to the lower portion of the enclosure with a one way valve attached to the end of the conduit. Generally, the vessel is designed to be employed as a decanter, such that a volume of liquid in the vessel can be stored and preserved with the absence of air prior to be subsequently dispensed

The vessel may further comprise a registration mechanism ■ for selecting the specific amount of liquid to be expelled from the vessel. The actuable portion can be positioned to expel the required fluid by predetermined markers on the closure. The markers are indicative of the number of recesses on the external wall of the conduit and illustrate the number of aliquots of liquid which can be obtained from' the enclosed fluid volume. Some embodiments of the vessel may include an outer wall coupled to the inner wall and defining an outer chamber between the inner and outer wall. Consequently, the vessel may be designed to inhibit the transfer of heat to and from the inner chamber. The outer chamber may be vacuum sealed. In addition, the piston of the plunger is designed to be positioned at the top surface of the liquid minimise the volume of air to which the liquid is exposed, thereby minimising oxidisation of the liquid. These features act to preserve the liquid contained within the decanter.

The vessel may have an exposed surface for an identification label. In some embodiments, the ball of the automatic valve will have an identification label or advertising imagery that can be displayed. For example, if the vessel were to contain wine, the label of the vineyard along with the type of grape could be used to differentiate between other wines in other decanters.

The vessel may be formed of materials that do not chemically react with acidic fluids, such as glass, stainless steel and plastic. It also me be coloured to restrict light depending on the liquid being preserved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described below in further detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure IA is a side section view of a vessel of configuration A;

Figure IB is a side section view of the vessel of configuration B;

Figure 1C is a close-up cross-sectional view of the automatic ball valve.

Figure ID is a close-up cross-sectional view of the automatic ball valve with the cap separate from the valve. Figure IE is a close-up cross-sectional view of the plunger and closure of vessel 100

Figure IF is an isometric and plan view of the vessel 100 showing grooves and alignment with the dispensing end;

Figure 2B is an isometric and plan view of the vessel 500 showing grooves and alignment with the dispensing end;

Figure 2E is a close-up cross-sectional view of the plunger and closure of vessel 500;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described embodiments relate generally to a vessel for containing, preserving and distributing a liquid. Preservation may be for the purpose of providing an alternative to using or consuming all of a liquid volume at one time.

Figures IA, and IB are section drawings illustrating 2 configurations of vessel and plunger systems according to some embodiments, in figure IA the Automatic ball valve 10 makes part of the plunger and in configuration. IB the ball valve 80 is separate to the plunger 820. Operation for figure IA Vessel 100 comprises a body 140 and a removable insert. The insert comprises a plunger 180 and a closure 160, shown cross-sectionally in Figures 1C, ID, IE, IF diagrammatically show features important in the functioning of the vessel 100. The vessel 100 is 'assembled by pouring a liquid into an inner chamber 212 while the insert is removed, putting in the closure 160 with the plunger 180 and pushing down on an actuable portion ( _^ automatic ball valve) 10 of the plunger 180 to evacuate air from a lower (liquid containing) chamber of the vessel 100

The vessel 100 may have a flat surface at its base 146 to assist in being positioned upright on a table. Alternatively or in addition, the body 140 of the vessel 100 may comprise a ■handle positioned on an external wall 150 of body 140, for external support.

Figures IA, is a cross-sectional schematic representation of the vessel 100. Vessel 100 comprises an inner wall 200 and the external wall 150. The inner and external walls

200/150, which form the body 140 of the vessel 100, provide for a chamber with a single open end. There is a space between the two walls 200/150, which defines an outer

^■ chamber 204 and acts as an insulating volume to inhibit the transfer of heat into or out of the vessel 100.

The open end of the inner wall 200, has a shape complementary to the shape of the closure 160. When the closure 160 and plunger 180 are inserted into the inner chamber 212 for use of the vessel as a decanter, closure 160 sits in the open end of the inner chamber 212. In the described embodiments, the inner wall 200 of the inner chamber 212 is generally cylindrical with a flat circular bottom. The closure 160 may be solid and may have a depth of about 2 cm, for example, to provide stability.

The plunger 180 forms part of the closure 160. The plunger 180 comprises of an automatic ball valve 10, a fluid conduit- 126' and a piston portion 220 The automatic ball valve comprises a valve body 11 a valve seal 12, a cap seal 13, a ball 14 , a removable cap 15 and a dispensing end 16.

The fluid conduit 126 is shaped to slide through a circular aperture 242 in the centre of the closure 160. The piston 220 has an opening or aperture 222 formed in its centre to coincide with a lower opening of fluid conduit 126 so that fluid can travel into fluid conduit 126 via aperture 222 from beneath the piston 220, when pressure is applied to the top of the plunger valve cap 15

Actuable portion (automatic ball valve 10) is sized and shaped to facilitate hand-actuation of the plunger 180 by depression of the actuable portion 10.

When fluid' is desired to be dispensed from the vessel 100, the plunger 180 is pressed downwardly, with enough- force to causing a fluid volume to be expelled from the inner chamber.212 through the fluid conduit 126. then through' the valve 10 and out through the dispenser 16. As described above, the fluid conduit 126 is joined to the plunger piston 220. The piston 220 has a complimentary shape to the inner wall 200 of the vessel 100. The piston 220 is solid and impermeable and, together with inner wall 200, defines a generally enclosed fluid volume. The closure 160 has as at least one outer circumferential seal 230. The seal 230 may include an o-ring. The seal 230 frictionally resists the movement of the closure 160 relative to the inner wall 200 and also hinders loss of fluid from the inner chamber 212.

The piston 220 of the plunger 180 also has a groove 226 that supports a sealing member 610. The sealing member 610 may comprise an o-ring, and annular seal, a "U" seal or a

CUP type seal, for example. Sealing member 610 seals with the inner wall 200 of the vessel 100. The engagement of the sealing member 610 minimises oxidation of the fluid contained below the piston 220 of the plunger, retains liquid underneath the piston "220 of the plunger 180 and assists to maintain pressure to force the liquid below the piston 220 through the fluid conduit 126 via the automatic ball valve and out the dispensing end 16.

The sealing member 610 is capable of moving vertically along the inner wall 200 of the vessel 100 while retaining sealing engagement.

The fluid' conduit 126 comprises a number of recesses 130 on its external wall 210 which are positioned at specific intervals both longitudinally along and circumferentially around the fluid conduit 126. The recesses 130 act as notches or markers to assist in causing a specific volume of fluid to be forced through the fluid conduit 126 and out of the vessel 100.

Each of the recesses 130 along the fluid conduit 126 is shaped to at least partially receive a slide pin356 from a registration mechanism 358. The registration mechanism 358 is located in the closure 160. Figure IE, illustrates the registration mechanism 358 within the closure 160. The registration mechanism 358 comprises a plug 350, a spring 354 and a slide pin 356 which ¹ protrudes' toward the external wall of the fluid conduit 126.

The slide pin 356 is acted on by a spring 354 it engages with the recesses or notches on the walls of the fluid conduit "126, or the tube or rod 826 in other embodiments. Each recess 130 on the external wall 210 of the fluid conduit 126 is positioned such that when a pushing force is applied to the actuable portion 120, the fluid conduit 126, moves vertically. When the slide pin 356 passes or rolls along the external wall of fluid conduit 126 and as it is moved downwardly and locates the next recess 130 on the external wall 210 of the fluid conduit 126, the slide pin 356 may 'click' into place within the recess 130 in a manner that can be sensed by a person pushing down on the actuable portion 120. The person may also sense a greater resistance to downward travel of the fluid conduit 126 once ball 356 clicks into registration with a recess 130, thereby giving a tactile signal of registration and thereby indicating that dispensation of a predetermined volume of fluid from second fluid volume 216 has been completed.

The position of either the dispenser 16 in figure IF or the plunger arm 827 in figure 2B when aliened with the grooves 161, and 861 respectively will determine the volume dispensed relating to the segments' established- by the recesses on the fluid conduit 126 or the tube or rod 826.

The closure 160 may comprise a means for identifying the specific volume of fluid to be distributed according to the different spacing between respective longitudinally -aligned series of recesses 130 formed on fluid conduit 126. The closure 160 may have a number, say three or four, grooves and markings 161 displayed on its upper surface. The number and spacing of recesses 130 on that side of the fluid conduit 126 dictates the intended discrete volumes of liquid to be dispensed from the second fluid volume 216 as the fluid conduit is forced to progress downwardly through closure 160 and successively register slide pin 356 with recesses 130. When fluid is to be removed from the vessel 100, the actuable portion 120 with the <• dispensing end 124 is rotated (about a central longitudinal axis of fluid conduit 126) to the groove marker 16 Ii that indicates the fluid volume desired to be dispensed by the user.

There may be fewer or more than four different series of recesses 130, each series having a different number of recesses 130, located vertically along the external wall 210 of the fluid conduit 126

The closure 160 also has a recessed section 166 so the automatic ball valve 10 fits in for compactness and support during storage or for shipment. The dispensing end 16 also align and fit in the grooves 161 of the closure 160. this is also the same for the configuration IB with respect to the plunger arm 816

The valve operation :- When pressure is applied to the actuable portion ( automatic ball valve 10) liquid is forced into the valve through the fluid conduit 210 and when sufficient pressure is applied to the actuable portion the liquid lifts the ball 14 off the valve seal 12 the liquid then flows around the ball 14 and out the dispensing end 16 and into a receiving glass or container. When pressure is released from the actuable portion 10 , the ball 14 will return to the seal 12 and seals. Thus preventing air entering the fluid conduit 210. and preventing or limiting oxidation.

This automatic ball valve 10 inhibits the passage of fluid from the outside the vessel 100 into the inner chamber 212 of the vessel 100, which means that the passage of air into the fluid volume 216 is restricted and oxidation of fluid in second fluid volume 216 is minimised, if not prevented. The automatic ball valve 10 only allows movement of fluid from the space below the plunger piston 220 out into the external environment.

The valve cap 15 is sealed by an "o" ring 13 when in place and the cap has a groove 17 that keeps the cap in place but with a small amount of force the cap can be removed. With the cap 15 removed the ball 14 can also be easily removed for cleaning and be replaced with a ball that has internal markings 18 that represent the liquid in the decanter. It may also be a ball supplied by the manufactures of the liquid showing date of manufacture type and branding of the liquid, and provide a means of advertising the contents of the vessel 100.

Materials chosen for the inner components of the vessel 100 may comprise materials which do not react with acidic fluids. ^ Such materials include plastic, stainless steel and glass, for example. For example, vessel 100 may comprise a plunger 180 made of stainless steel, a body 140 made of glass and a closure 160 made of plastic. Any of body 140, closure 160 and plunger 180 may be formed of a transparent material, such as glass or plastic, to enable visual inspection of the liquid inside.

Depending on the intended fluid capacity of the vessel 100, the size of the vessel 100 and the plunger can be made proportional to the volume of liquid Jo be contained within the inner chamber 212.

In some embodiments, such as those depicted in Figures IB The closure 860 is the same as the closure 160 and performs the same. The plunger 880 comprises a plunger arm 827 a connecting tube or rod 826 and a plunger piston 820. The piston 820 has no aperture. The automatic ball valve 80 operates in the same manner as in configuration IA but is fixed and is not an actuable portion.. Figure IB illustrates the body 840 of the vessel 500 having a straight external wall 850 to create an inner chamber 800.

In some embodiments it is not necessary to have an external wall and inner chamber. The straight external wall 850 may have a handle (not shown) which may be molded to or otherwise attached to the body 840 of the vessel 800 for external support.

When fluid is desired to be dispensed from the vessel 500, the plunger 880 is pressed downwardly, with enough force to causing a fluid volume to be expelled from the inner chamber 812 through the fluid conduit 826. then through the automatic ball valve 80 and out through the dispenser 815. As described above,' the fluid' conduit 826 'is joined at the base of the outer wall '850 and passes through to the inner wall'804. The, piston 820 has a complimentary shape to the inner wall 804 of the vessel'. The piston 820 is solid and impermeable and, together with inner wall 200, defines a generally enclosed fluid volume.

In Figure 3B; The closure 860 has as at least one outer circumferential seal 830 at the base 862 of the closure 860. The seal 830- may include an o-ring positioned between two circumferential flanges 832. The seal'830 frictionally resists the movement of the closure 860 relative to the inner wall 800 and also hinders loss of fluid from the inner chamber 812.

The piston 820 of the plunger 880 has a ^' groove 826 that supports a sealing member 610. The sealing member 610 may comprise an o-ring, and annular seal, a "U" seal or a CUP type seal, for example^ Sealing member 610 seals with the inner wall 800 of the vessel as previously explained for configuration IA.

The embodiments are described herein by way of example, with reference to the drawings. However, modifications of the described embodiments may be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. The described embodiments are therefore intended to be exemplary and non-limiting when considered in the context of the appended claims.

Throughout this specification the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, or not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.