WO2014135334A1

WO2014135334A1 - Device for spraying liquid like champagne

Info

Publication number: WO2014135334A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/052451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simone RUSSO
Original assignee: Russo Simone
Priority date: 2013-03-05
Filing date: 2014-02-07
Publication date: 2014-09-12
Also published as: CH707676A2

Abstract

This special sealing device makes it possible not only to keep a liquid inside a container, but also to pressurise the liquid in such a way that it is dispersed in a very spectacular manner by spraying a countless number of atomised droplets several metres from the container.

Description

DEVICE FOR VAPORIZING LIQUID LIKE CHAMPAGNE

REFERENCE TO A PRIOR APPLICATION This PCT application claims the priority of the Swiss national application No. CH00593 / 13 filed on March 5, 2013 in the name of Mr. Simone RUSSO, the content of this prior application being incorporated by reference in its entirety in the present PCT application. FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND STATE OF THE ART

The invention generally relates to a particular bottle stopper and more particularly to a valve which makes it possible to put a liquid contained in said bottle under pressure and to vaporize it with the simple use of a lever.

A bottle of Champagne (or any other type of drink) is commonly used to celebrate special occasions: the podium of a major sporting event (including Formula 1 and motorcycle races), a great personal achievement, a party birthday or a party on the beach etc ...

When the bottle of Champagne has just been opened, the pressure inside the container is generally high enough to vaporize the flow of liquid in the distance, wetting all the people nearby. This effect can be maintained by shaking the bottle, a procedure that is not very practical and that requires the person carrying the bottle to provide a physical effort that may be important, depending on the size of the bottle.

This effort is also problematic when we celebrate a sporting victory, such as motor racing or motorcycle racing. The winner is normally fatigued by his race and it is difficult for him to provide such additional physical effort.

Similarly, during parties "drenched" with alcohol, participants may experience difficulties coordination after drinking alcohol and thus have trouble spraying the contents of such a bottle, or even more to shake it properly to achieve the desired watering effect. Spraying devices are known in the state of the art for example from the following publications: US6971555, US3082959, FR2188459, US3558010, US2694602, EP0291788, GB2436350, US6481642 and US2552857.

PRINCIPLE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a spray device having a similar operation to that of a fire extinguisher head, mounted on a bottle containing a liquid, for example Champagne, or other similar container, in order to be able to vaporize the liquid as simply and effectively as possible, avoiding the use of an empirical method that is difficult to implement (for example by putting your thumb on the opening of the bottle, shaking the bottle, etc.). ) to maintain a sufficient pressure and guide the flow of liquid out of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for increasing the pressure in the container (for example the bottle), only when necessary, thus avoiding the risk of rupture during transport of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coupling unit for connecting an improved vaporization device adapted for a container (for example a bottle of sparkling wine, champagne, etc.) in which the connection also functions as a means of robust and rotational coupling between the spraying device and the container.

An idea of the invention was to create a connection system for connecting a champagne bottle spray head or other equivalent container, while maintaining an effective seal to prevent fluid leakage. This spray head is able to restrict the output of the sprayed liquid, to make the flow sufficiently constant and strong, until the bottle is almost empty. Finally, a medium as a lever helps regulate the flow and even interrupt it for a while while maintaining the pressure in the container.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vaporization head is equipped with a metal cylinder of CO ₂ to be added to the liquid pressure.

In addition, preferably there is a safety valve to prevent overpressure which could cause an accidental rupture of the container (such as a bottle) under certain conditions.

Thanks to a handle-shaped lever positioned on the top of the mechanism the liquid passes through a conical nozzle that projects it out of the container. The CO ₂ tank (8g of pure carbon dioxide) is activated just by turning a plastic cylinder (previously screwed on the CO ₂ valve) clockwise. After a few seconds after activation, the CO2 cartridge is empty and the container is pressurized. Then it is possible to unscrew the plastic cylinder and discard it. Finally, it is possible to pivot the lever down to spray the liquid in the container, for example champagne in a bottle. All parts in contact with the liquid are made of suitable materials especially for food use, for example stainless steel or synthetic material.

Advantageously, the invention increases the force and the time of the spraying. By obtaining a controlled spray, this results in a better vaporization for Champagne (or any other liquid contained in the container).

The product according to the invention draws attention to the bottle and increases the fun aspect during the celebration of a special event for example.

Usually, a constant pressure fire extinguisher is tested every six months. Conversely, CO ₂ metal cylinders have a life of 5 years and if they the bottle (the container) under pressure only at the desired time according to the principles of the invention, thus avoids the need to check twice a year the pressure level of the container. The invention relates to a vaporization system for a liquid present in a container, said system comprising at least means for extracting said liquid from the container, vaporization means, means for controlling the vaporization means, and coupling means of the system on the container, said coupling means comprising at least a lower part attached to the container by stop means and an upper part which cooperates detachably with the lower part, said upper part being connected to the vaporization means so as to to allow the mounting of said vaporization means on the container and means for pressurizing the liquid in the container. In one embodiment, the upper part forms a part with the vaporization means.

In one embodiment, the upper part is linked to the vaporization means by reversible means.

In one embodiment, the reversible means comprise a thread and a tapping.

In one embodiment, the stopping means comprise two half-rings. In one embodiment, the means of the controls comprise a lever actuating a valve.

In one embodiment, the means for pressurizing the liquid comprise at least one pressurized gas source and feed means.

In one embodiment, the source of pressurized gas comprises a CO2 cartridge. In one embodiment, the container is a bottle.

In one embodiment the bottle is a bottle of Champagne. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The features and elements of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings showing illustrative embodiments of the invention: Figs. 1A and 1B illustrate a side view showing the vaporization system according to the present invention mounted on a bottle ;

Figures 2A-2E illustrate sectional views of different parts of a coupling device;

Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a spray head assembly according to the invention;

Fig. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the spray head assembly;

Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the spray head assembly; Figure 6 illustrates a top view of the spray head assembly; Figures 7 and 8 illustrate details of the safety valve and the CO ₂ valve; Figs. 9A and 9B illustrate two possible embodiments of nozzles; Figs. 10A-10C illustrate views of another embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 11A and 11B illustrate the operation of the embodiment of Figs. 10A through 10C; Figures 12A to 12C illustrate another embodiment of the invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention which is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the vaporization system 1 comprises connection means 2 (including the parts 101, 102) used to attach the lower end of the vaporization system. 1 to the neck 3 of a bottle for example a bottle of Champagne as a container. This coupling is a sealed connection which can maintain the pressure developed by the liquid and the 8g of CO ₂ contained in a metal cylinder of a gas cartridge inside the bottle as described hereinafter.

The part 101 can be unitary with the vaporization system 1 or they are two separate parts 1/101 (as shown in the following figures) or an assembly of several parts.

Figures 2A to 2E show axial sectional views of the three parts that make up the coupling unit. In Figure 2A is a sectional view of the upper part of the coupling unit 101; this upper part has the function of connecting to the vaporization system 1 by means of the tapping 4. This tapping 4 cooperates with the thread 105 of the vaporization system 1 (see Figure 3). If the part 101 is integrated in the vaporization system, then the tapping 4 and the thread 105 can be dispensed with. Alternatively, other equivalent means can be used to connect the vaporization system 1 to the upper part of the unit. coupling 101: crimping, gluing etc. The bottom of the upper part of the coupling unit comprises a thread 5 illustrated in FIG. 2B. This thread 5 is intended to cooperate with the tapping 104 of the ring 102 illustrated in Figure 2B (see also Figure 1).

The piece 103, 103 'of FIG. 2C and 2D is designed to fit exactly to the lower part 6 of the ring 102 shown in FIG. 2B, thereby locking the coupling unit to the neck of the bottle. Figure 2D is a top view of the two half-circles 103, 103 'which are shown in the side view of Figure 2C.

For mounting (the assembled state of the parts of FIGS. 2A to 2D is illustrated in FIG. 2E), for example on a bottle 3 (FIGS. 1A and 1B), the ring 102 is introduced around the neck, then the neck is surrounded. of the bottle 3 with the two parts 103, 103 'and the ring 102 is raised. The parts 103, 103' prevent the coupling of the bottle and the ring 102 from forming, forming a sort of stop, the piece 102 is now integral with the neck 3 of the bottle.

The two parts 101, 102 are then coupled for example by screwing the thread 5 in the thread 104 as illustrated in Figure 2E. Seals (O-ring type for example) can be provided for the assembly is waterproof. Then, the vaporization system 1 can be mounted in the upper part of the unit 101 by screwing the thread 105 of the system 1 (see FIG. 3) into the tapping 4. If the vaporization system 1 and the unit 101 are in one piece, then this step is not necessary. Referring now to the side view of FIG. 3, the vaporization system comprises a valve body 7 having an outlet passage 8, an inlet passage 9, a transport handle 10 and an operating lever 11, Locked by a safety pin 12. As indicated above, the thread 105 is intended to be screwed into the tapping 4 (Figure 2a) to obtain the mounted state of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the vaporization system: an improved hydraulic cylinder (piston) 13 is mounted for vertical displacement. The piston 13 comprises an upper piston rod 14 on which are mounted, near its upper end, two O-rings 15 in two annular grooves formed therein. The piston 13 is actuated vertically by the articulated operating lever 1 'which is connected to the lever 11 (see FIG. 3). The central portion of the piston rod 16 may have a reduced diameter portion depending on the type of flow desired. Attached to the lower part of the rod is a larger diameter portion 17 provided with an annular groove with an O-ring 18 for cooperating with a valve seat 19 defined by the body of the valve 1. of increased diameter of the rod 17 is supported by a spring 20 which comprises a base (for example plastic) 21 screwed on the lower end of the valve 22 for example by means of the cooperation of a thread and a tapping 30, 31. Fixing can be effected by other means, for example crimping, gluing, forcing, etc. The plastic base 21 makes it possible, of course, for the fluid to pass through the passage 23. The lower part 24 of the plastic base 21 fit with the feed tube 25 which extends inside the bottle for take the spray liquid in it.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the entire vaporization system 1 which more clearly shows the horizontal duct 26 on which are screwed, on the one hand, a safety valve 27 on one side to prevent overpressure (see FIG. Figure 7) and secondly a valve for CO ₂ cartridge 28 on the other side (see Figure 8). The horizontal duct 26 comprises an internal distribution chamber which extends horizontally in the body of the valve 1 and communicates via a passage directly with the coupling unit 2/105 and the container 3.

Figure 6 is a top view of the assembly of the vaporization system 1 which illustrates at a different angle the horizontal tube 26 on which are screwed the valve 27 and the safety valve CO ₂ 28, which will be explained separately in the figures 7 and 8. In Figure 7 is illustrated a safety valve 27 formed by a drilled hex nut 40 (drilled nut) screwed onto the horizontal tube 26. The inner portion 41 of the nut 40 is adapted to position a spring 42 which is compressed in case overpressure. In case of excessive gas pressure, a hole is formed in the membrane 43 to allow the gas to escape,

According to another feature of the present invention, the CO ₂ valve 28 is shown more clearly in the view of FIG. 8. The valve is formed by a screw 50 to clamp the seal of the piercing spindle 51 and the piercing pin 52 to pierce the metal cartridge 53. The piercing spindle 52 is screwed inside the body 54 with an O-ring 56. There is also a CO ₂ distribution valve 57 with an O-Ring 58 and an opening 59. Finally, all the pieces of 51 -59 fit perfectly inside the male threaded body 57.

To pierce the CO2 cartridge 53 so as to release the 8g of CO ₂ in the liquid bottle, it is necessary to turn clockwise a plastic cylinder holder 60 already screwed onto the CO ₂ valve 57, on the threading 61 by means of a corresponding tapping 62 in the cylinder holder 60. There will be a whistling noise when the gas is released into the bottle during screwing on the support 57. After a few seconds, all the CO ₂ will be released putting the champagne bottle under pressure. After the plastic cylinder support 60 and the CO ₂ cartridge 53 are empty they become useless and can be unscrewed and discarded.

By removing the safety pin 12 and moving the lever handle 11 downward the liquid passes through the nozzle 70 shown in FIG. 9A which sprays the liquid mixed with the CO ₂ out of the bottle. The nozzle 70 is for example made of a plastic cone-shaped diffuser 71 to improve the sprayed flow. The first part of the nozzle 72 has a male thread 73 and is screwed onto the discharge passage 8 of the body of the valve 7 which comprises a corresponding thread, this first part is connected to a second part 74 which is screwed onto a thread In the second part 74 of the nozzle, there is at least one hole with a sprayer which creates the type of flow required in vaporization,

The nozzle shown in FIG. 9A can be replaced by other types of nozzles, for example as in FIG. 9B which illustrates a nozzle 76 coupled by a tube 77 in a manner similar to a normal extinguisher, the idea being to Easily spray the liquid under pressure in a directed manner.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10C and 11A and It comprises a single body 80 forming the coupling means and spray device. This mode shares the same technical features of the project shown before in Figure 1, but with a cleaner design and easier to produce.

In FIG. 10A, there is a body 80 which adapts to all the functions described above: in the hole 81 can be screwed the nozzle 70 (FIG. 9A), in the hole 82 the valve 28 of the CO ₂ cartridge, on the upper part it is possible to put the control lever 1 1 (shown in Figures 1 1A and 11B) in a standard horizontal position or in a more vertical position. In the lower part of the drawing is shown the inlet passage 83 and the tube 25. The body may comprise for example a thread 105 for attachment to a bottle as shown in the previous embodiments.

It is possible to provide a hole in the body 80 for screwing in a safety valve 27, as already described in FIG.

In Figure 10B the same body 80 is illustrated, but viewed in perspective with the fastening means 101 to the bottle (see Figures 2A to 2E). Another way of locking the body on the bottle neck is using a male-threaded type to which the body 80 is screwed. Another means for attaching the body 30 to the neck 3 of the bottle is a retractable plastic which can take the form bottleneck. In the body 80, there is a piston 85 with two openings 86, 87 which are placed in two positions depending on whether one is in a gas filling phase in the bottle or vaporization of the gas and the liquid contained in the bottle. Two O-ring type gaskets may be provided in grooves 88, 89 of the piston 85. These positions are illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. In FIG. 11A, the piston is in the up position and the gas opening 86 in the piston 85 is aligned with the inlet 82. This allows the gas contained in a CO2 cartridge to be injected as illustrated and described. previously in the present description to put the liquid contained in the bottle under pressure.

In order to vaporize the liquid contained in the bottle, the lever 11 is lowered, which has the effect of lowering the piston 85 in the neck 3 of the bottle, until the vaporization opening 87 is aligned with the hole 81 which allows the evacuation of the pressurized liquid contained in the bottle according to the principle of the present invention.

Another embodiment provides for the use of an internal locking at the neck, forcing a coupling unit with a pipe incorporated with O-rings, and the use of a few security screws on the outside of the neck. which extend perpendicular to the axis of the container (of the bottle) and ensure a good fixation. This embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12D. It comprises a pierced cap 90 for the passage of the liquid contained in the container (Figure 12C) which is introduced into the container, for example the neck 91 of a bottle. Preferably, this plug comprises O-ring type gaskets which are introduced into grooves 92, 92 'of the plug 90. Once mounted on the container, the plug 90 cooperates with a locking system comprising a ring 93 and means of fixation.

More specifically, the plug 90 comprises a thread 94 which cooperates with a tapping 95 of the ring 93 so that the plug 90 can be screwed into the ring 93 in the configuration illustrated in Figures 12A and 12D.

In order to block the cap 90 - ring assembly 93 on a container, such as the neck of a bottle 91, lateral attachment means 96, such as screws (see Fig. 12D) are added. Once the assembly is performed on a container, the fixing means 96 (screws) are implemented, for example screws are screwed so as to retain the ring on the neck 91 (more generally on the container) taking advantage of flanges present on said neck 91. Of course, these fixing means may be adapted to the container on which the system is mounted and may be provided other fastening means than those illustrated.

Like the previous embodiments and as described in connection with these embodiments, the plug also comprises a tapping 97 which allows mounting of the vaporization system by cooperating with the thread 105.

The embodiments described in the present application are given as illustrative examples and should not be considered as limiting. Variations are possible in the context of the protection claimed, in particular by using equivalent means.

The parts of the device according to the invention may be of any suitable material, for example plastic (synthetic) or metal.

The attachment means may be those described or equivalent means which are adapted to the container used.

Claims

Spraying system (1) for a liquid present in a container (3), said system comprising at least means for extracting said liquid from the container (3), vaporization means (1), control means ( 10, 1 1) vaporization means, and coupling means of the system on the container, said coupling means comprising at least a lower portion (102) attached to the container (3) by stop means (103, 103 ') and an upper portion (101) cooperating detachably with the lower portion (102), said upper portion (101) being bonded to the vaporizing means (1) so as to permit mounting of said vaporizing means (1) on the container (3) and means for pressurizing the liquid in the container (3).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the upper part (101) forms a part with the vaporization means.

3. System according to claim 1, wherein the upper part (101) is connected to the vaporization means by reversible means.

4. System according to claim 3, wherein the reversible means comprise a thread (105) and a thread (104).

5. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop means comprise two half-rings (103, 103 ').

6. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control means comprise a lever (11) actuating a valve (13).

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for pressurizing the liquid comprises at least one source of pressurized gas and supply means.

The system of claim 7, wherein the source of pressurized gas comprises a CO2 cartridge (53),

9. An assembly comprising a system according to one of the preceding claims and a container.

10. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the container is a bottle.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the bottle is a bottle of Champagne.