U.S. patent application number 14/252725 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-09 for air valves for a wireless spout and system for dispensing.
The applicant listed for this patent is Achim Philipp Zapp. Invention is credited to Achim Philipp Zapp.
Application Number | 20140299634 14/252725 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47752339 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140299634 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zapp; Achim Philipp |
October 9, 2014 |
Air Valves for a Wireless Spout and System for Dispensing
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a pouring device
for a container for the dosing of liquid. The pouring device has an
improved air valve system that works via cooperation between a
weighted magnetic component and a metal ball in order to control
opening and closing of the air valve inlet.
Inventors: |
Zapp; Achim Philipp;
(Shenzhen, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zapp; Achim Philipp |
Shenzhen |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
47752339 |
Appl. No.: |
14/252725 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13227418 |
Sep 7, 2011 |
8695858 |
|
|
14252725 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/481 ;
222/500 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/0753 20150401;
B67D 3/0077 20130101; B67D 3/0041 20130101; G01F 11/263 20130101;
G01F 11/267 20130101; B65D 47/32 20130101; G01F 11/265 20130101;
B65D 47/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/481 ;
222/500 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/06 20060101
B65D047/06; B65D 47/32 20060101 B65D047/32 |
Claims
1. An air valve for use with a pouring device for the dosing of
liquid from a container, the air valve comprising: (a) an air valve
channel and an air vent tube, the air vent tube comprising an air
inlet opening at one end; (b) a weighted magnetic component
comprising a magnet portion and a weighted portion; the weighted
magnetic component positioned in the air valve channel; (c) a metal
ball positioned at the air inlet opening of the air vent tube;
wherein a magnetic force between the magnetic portion of the
weighted magnetic component and the metal ball maintains the metal
ball in a first position, and wherein when the air valve is tilted
to a certain degree, gravity overcomes the magnetic force and pulls
the weighted magnetic component away from the metal ball, allowing
the metal ball to move to a second position.
2. The air valve of claim 1, wherein when the air valve is
positioned on a pouring device placed on a container in an upright
position, the magnetic force maintains the metal ball in place over
the air flow inlet.
3. The air valve of claim 1, wherein when the air valve is
positioned on a pouring device placed on a container that is tilted
to a pouring position, gravity overcomes the magnetic force and
causes the weighted magnetic component to move away from the metal
ball.
4. The air valve of claim 1, wherein the weighted magnetic
component is freely slidable in the air valve channel.
5. The air valve of claim 1, wherein the air valve is configured to
be secured to an end of a pouring device spout via tubing.
6. The air valve of claim 1, wherein the weighted magnetic
component comprises a magnetic portion secured to a weighted metal
component.
7. The pouring device of claim 6, wherein the metal ball comprises
a steel ball.
8. A pouring device for a container for the dosing of liquid, the
pouring device comprising: (a) a spout housing configured to seal
an opening of the container; (b) a conduit extending through the
spout housing for liquid passage through the housing; (c) an
electrically operated valve disposed within the spout housing for
selectively clamping the conduit so that a registerable amount of
liquid can be dosed; and (d) an air valve configured to be secured
to the spout housing, the air valve comprising an air inlet
opening, a weighted magnetic component, and a metal ball, wherein
when the pouring device is positioned on a container in an upright
position, a magnetic force maintains the metal ball in place over
the air inlet opening.
9. The pouring device of claim 8, wherein the weighted magnetic
component comprises a magnetic portion secured to a weighted metal
component.
10. The pouring device of claim 8, wherein the air valve further
comprises an air valve channel and wherein the weighted magnetic
component is freely slidable in the air valve channel.
11. The pouring device of claim 8, wherein the air flow inlet is in
fluid communication with an air vent tube and wherein the metal
ball is configured to open and close air access to the air vent
tube.
12. The pouring device of claim 8, wherein the metal ball comprises
a steel ball.
13. The pouring device of claim 8, wherein when the container is in
an upright position, a magnetic force between the metal ball and
the weighted magnetic component causes the metal ball to close the
air flow inlet, and wherein when the container is tilted to a
pouring position, the weighted magnetic component slides away from
the metal ball, allowing air to flow into the air flow inlet.
14. The pouring device of claim 8, wherein when the container is
titled into a pouring position, the weighted magnetic component
overcomes the magnetic force, causing the component to slide away
from the metal ball, releasing the metal ball and allowing opening
of the air flow inlet.
15. The pouring device of claim 8, wherein the air valve further
comprises an air valve channel and an air vent tube, the air vent
tube comprising the air inlet opening at one end, wherein the
weighted magnetic component slides freely in the air valve channel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to
systems for monitoring the amount of liquid poured from liquid
containers. Further embodiments relate to improved air valve
systems for appropriate dispensing of the liquid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The amount of liquid dispensed from liquid containers needs
to be monitored for many endeavors today. For instance, the
management of establishments has long found it necessary to
carefully monitor the relationship between liquor dispensed and
receipts by controlling the quantity of liquor dispensed from a
specific bottle and recording the sale.
[0003] A few systems have been proposed to date for measuring and
recording the amount of liquid dispensed from liquid containers.
One such system includes a spout that is configured to attach to an
opening of a liquid container. This spout also uses a
portion-control mechanism to control the desired amount of liquid
poured from the liquid container. The spout includes a radio
transmitter for emitting signals containing activity information. A
receiver receives the transmitted signals, and provides these
signals to a computer at the establishment that processes the
signals into text for viewing.
[0004] FIG. 1 shows side-cross sectional view of a free-pour spout
shown in U.S. 2004/0210405 or related U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,166. This
spout is used to be mounted on an open orifice of a liquid
container and measures the amount of liquid poured from the liquid
container. The spout includes a rigid fluid-flow passageway 305, a
breather tube 310, a printed circuit board (PCB) 315 with a number
of electronic components, a battery (not shown), an LED (not
shown), and an engage switch 340 (including seal/sense switch 350,
a spring-biased button 345). Reference numeral 306 shows the
direction of fluid flow. The dimensions of the fluid-flow
passageway are specifically selected to ensure laminar fluid flow
of liquid when the liquid-container (and hence the spout) are
inclined at a certain angle (e.g., 20 degrees) past the horizontal
axis of the liquid- container. It also has a detection circuit that
detects fluid flow through the passageway. In addition, this spout
has a measuring circuit that generates data relating to fluid flow
when the detection circuit detects fluid flow through the
passageway.
[0005] In U.S. 2004/0210405, a RF Transceiver is provided to
communicate with an outside master unit for dispensing data. To
measure the pour, a detection circuit is provided to detect a pour
event. U.S. 2004/0210405 also discloses a breather tube that
provides an air inlet (vent) 307 that allows better fluid flow
through the passageway. An engage switch (bottle presence bottom)
is formed by an on-off button that springs up and seals a sense
switch on the PCB when the bottom portion is inserted into a liquid
container. When the bottom portion is removed from the liquid
container, the on-off button springs back and thereby opens the
sense switch.
[0006] The spout in U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,166 is free-pour, and it
only measures the amount of liquid poured. There is, however, a
need to pour the liquid in a controlled and predetermined amount.
To avoid excess liquid being poured, an additional control unit
outside is necessary to stop it. For example, the system includes
an external computer that gathers the data collected by the local
computers of the establishments monitored by the system. In some
embodiments, the external computer is located outside of all the
establishments, while in other embodiments the computer is located
within one of the establishments. Even with this additional control
unit outside, due to a control time lapse and difference in
position between detection and control, it is unlikely to have
precise control in pouring of liquid.
[0007] U.S. 2005/0263547 describes a pouring stopper. In this
pouring stopper, a magnetic force within the stopper is provided by
a coil which affects an armature so that a gasket at both ends of
the rod may be caused to assume two positions. The first position
allows filling of liquid from a bottle into a liquid chamber, and
the second position is intended to empty the liquid chamber. The
magnet arrangement itself, which consists of a coil and a
spring-biased armature, is seated in an extension of the liquid
chamber. The coil itself is seated externally on a bottle holder,
which means that the pouring stopper cannot be used for hand
pouring.
[0008] WO2007/144002 discloses a pouring stopper for a container,
the pouring stopper being opened and closed on the basis of a
magnetizable rod or plate moved by a coil. The coil and the
magnetizable rod or plate are disposed within the liquid chamber.
However, the magnetizable rod and coil use power the entire time
that the spout is open, which requires high power consumption.
Additionally, the electronic parts are not liquid proof, risking
the chance that the liquid may wet or dampen them.
[0009] However, due to the large size of the magnetizable rod and
the coil to move the magnetizable rod, there is a need for a
compact and simple pour apparatus that measures the amount of
dispensed liquid in a controlled fashion without requiring manual
activation.
[0010] Moreover, due to the compact and non-disassemble-able nature
of the spout in U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,166, when the energy of the
battery is used up, the entire spout should be disposed. Therefore,
there is also a need to provide options that allow for reuse of the
spout. The embodiments described herein provide options for
recharging the battery.
[0011] Additionally, it would be advantageous to provide a pouring
device with an improved air valve system that allows the spout to
be positioned on a full bottle, without causing an imprecise first
pour due to liquid that may flow into the air valve during
introduction of the spout onto the bottle opening. It is further
desirable to provide an improved air valve that closes the air
inlet as quickly and efficiently as possible after a pour
event.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] One of the benefits provided by embodiments of the invention
described herein is that a silicone tube inside the spout is a path
for the liquid to pass through from the bottle without any
restrictions. Meanwhile, the rest of the components are protected
or isolated from liquid and are thus per se not necessary to be
liquid-resistant or liquid-proof. This also guarantees a quick and
controlled flow of the liquid and avoids any air bubbles to
influence the pour precision.
[0013] The silicone tube can be easily squeezed to stop the liquid
flow. This can be done by a stepping motor, a motor with gearbox,
or any other motor or appropriate mechanism.
[0014] To ensure that the dosing of liquid from the pour spout is
uniform and accurate, it is advantageous that a liquid indicator is
sealed into the silicone tube. This makes it possible to register
liquid flowing out of the pourer during the entire period of time,
whether pre- or not pre-determined.
[0015] Specific embodiments of invention generally provide a
pouring device for a container for the dosing of liquid, the
pouring device including: a) a housing; b) a passage for the liquid
within the housing; c) an electrical operated opening/closing
mechanism for opening or closing the passage for dosing of a
predetermined or registerable amount of liquid, wherein the passage
comprises a silicone tube, and the opening/closing mechanism blocks
the silicone tube by squeezing the silicone tube in order to close
the passage. The silicone tube is normally closed, and the dosing
of liquid is activated by the opening/closing mechanism. The
silicone tube is enclosed and pressed by a slide in the normally
closed condition. The opening/closing mechanism may be operated by
a motor.
[0016] The pouring device may further have an air inlet valve that
is opened for pouring and closed in non-pouring status, driven by
motor action. The device may further feature an improved air valve
system that works via cooperation between a weighted magnetic
component and a metal ball in order to control movement of the
metal ball, which opens and closes the air valve inlet opening.
[0017] The pouring device may further have a measuring circuit with
multi-angle detection that generates data relating to fluid flow
through the passage when the detection circuit detects a pour
event. The multi-angle detection is different than the known one or
two angle detection. With such multi-angle detection, once the tilt
process has started, the flow rate can be exactly determined by the
measuring circuit such as every 250 ms permanently. To reach the
desired pouring quantity, the pouring by opening the silicone tube
will be delayed/adjusted according to the bottle tilt position.
[0018] In one embodiment, there is provided an air valve for use
with a pouring device for the dosing of liquid from a container,
the air valve including: (a) an air valve channel and an air vent
tube, the air vent tube comprising an air inlet opening at one end;
(b) a weighted magnetic component comprising a magnet portion and a
weighted portion; the weighted magnetic component positioned in the
air valve channel; (c) a metal ball positioned at the air inlet
opening of the air vent tube; wherein a magnetic force between the
magnetic portion of the weighted magnetic component and the metal
ball maintains the metal ball in a first position, and wherein when
the air valve is tilted to a certain degree, gravity overcomes the
magnetic force and pulls the weighted magnetic component away from
the metal ball, allowing the metal ball to move to a second
position. In a further embodiment, there is provided a pouring
device for a container for the dosing of liquid, the pouring device
including: (a) a spout housing configured to seal an opening of the
container; (b) a conduit extending through the spout housing for
liquid passage through the housing; (c) an electrically operated
valve disposed within the spout housing for selectively clamping
the conduit so that a registerable amount of liquid can be dosed;
and (d) an air valve configured to be secured to the spout housing,
the air valve comprising an air inlet opening, a weighted magnetic
component, and a metal ball, wherein when the pouring device is
positioned on a container in an upright position, a magnetic force
maintains the metal ball in place over the air inlet opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 shows the side-cross sectional view of a free-pour
spout in U.S. 2004/0210405 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,166.
[0020] FIG. 2 is the longitudinal section of the pouring device in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention shown in a
closed position.
[0021] FIG. 3 is the longitudinal section of the pouring device in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention shown in an
open position.
[0022] FIG. 4 is the cross-section of the pouring device of FIG. 2
along B-B in a closed position.
[0023] FIG. 5 is the cross-section of the pouring device of FIG. 3
along A-A in an open position.
[0024] FIG. 6 is the longitudinal section of the pouring device of
FIG. 3 showing the position of liquid presence detectors.
[0025] FIG. 7 is the cross-section of the pouring device of FIG.
6.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a side perspective isometric of the pouring device
of FIG. 2.
[0027] FIG. 9 is the cross-section of a charger for the pouring
device.
[0028] FIG. 10 is the longitudinal section of the charger in FIG.
9.
[0029] FIG. 11 is the longitudinal section of the charger used with
the pouring device.
[0030] FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of an improved air
valve.
[0031] FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the air valve of FIG.
12
[0032] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of an improved air
valve in the position it would take when located at the base of a
spout positioned on an upright bottle.
[0033] FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the air valve of
FIG. 14 in a pouring position.
[0034] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a spout having an
attached air valve.
[0035] FIG. 17 shows an exploded view of a spout having an air
valve secured to the base of the spout.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] FIGS. 2-5 show a pouring device mounted onto a container
(not shown) for dosing of a liquid. The pouring device has a
compact housing H configured to seal an opening of the container. A
passage (which is at least one portion being in the form of a
flexible silicone tube 1 is provided within the housing H for
liquid to pass through. An opening/closing mechanism disposed
within the compact housing opens or closes the passage in order to
dose a predetermined or registerable amount of liquid. In order to
close the passage, the silicone tube 1 is squeezed/pressed by the
opening/closing mechanism to block the passage. The
passage/silicone tube is preferably normally closed as shown in
FIG. 2 (but it might be normally open in some cases), and the
dosing of liquid is activated by the opening/closing mechanism,
which is controlled by a microprocessor (not shown) within the
housing.
[0037] To ensure that the dosing of liquid from the pour spout is
uniform and accurate, it is advantageous that a liquid indicator
(not shown) is sealed inside the bottom housing (FIG. 6 & FIG.
7), making it possible to register whether liquid flows out of the
pourer during the entire period of time which is
pre-determined.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the silicone tube 1 is enclosed and
pressed by a slide 9 and a slide guide 2 (box bottom) and 6 (box
top). The opening/closing mechanism is in a normally closed
condition (as shown in FIG. 4). FIG. 5 shows the tube in an open
position. A motor and a gearbox (not shown) are provided to
activate the opening/closing mechanism. The function of the
opening/closing mechanism is similar to a pinch valve (see e.g.,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,589), which includes a clamp mechanism
operative to clamp a piece of flexible tubing. Generally a clamp or
plunger will squash the tubing flat against a surface to cut off
the flow of fluid through the tube.
[0039] In one embodiment, to close the tube or stop the pouring,
the motor turns, for example, clockwise (i.e. from FIG. 5 to FIG.
4), an arm head 3 (rotated by the motor) presses the slide 9 via a
pivotally link lever 4 to close the tube 1 into a closed position
where liquid is stopped. When the motor turns anti-clockwise (that
is, from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5), the arm head 3 is released via the
pivotally link lever 4 such that the slide 9 is moved away by the
motor and gearbox force to open the tube 1, i.e., in an open
position where liquid is dispensing. Moreover, opening of the tube
is also due to pressure from the flowing fluid and by the elastic
nature of the flexible tube 1 springing back into shape. In the
case of dispensing sugar-containing products, the silicone tube
walls might glue or otherwise stick together, preventing the tube
from going back to its original open position. To avoid this, the
outer parts of the silicone tube may have one point fixed 8
[0040] (Silicone holder-B) and the other point 7 (Silicone
holder-A) that moves always with the slide 9 to enforce the opening
of the silicone tube by the slide 9 driven by the motor. The motor
is preferably a coreless permanent magnetic DC motor.
[0041] In a further embodiment, a pair of springs (not shown) may
be positioned between the slide 9 and the slide guide and the arm
head 3, directly contacting the slide 9 (i.e., without the
pivotally link lever 4) such that in order to open the tube, the
slide 9 is pushed away the tube 1 by the pair of springs.
Similarly, to close the tube 1 the arm head 3 rotated by the motor
and gearbox force would contact the slide 9 against the
springs.
[0042] In certain embodiments, the opening/closing mechanism may be
further controlled by a watch that is worn by the operator until an
authorized signal of the watch is received. RF Transceiver in the
pouring device may send data together with such authorized signal.
Therefore, the system can record who handles such pour.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 8, a bottle presence sensor 23 (similar to
that described in U.S. 2004/0210405) is provided to send an alarm
signal when the spout is on or off the bottle, to avoid any pouring
without the pouring device. However, due to the compact and
non-disassemble-able of the spout described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,892,166, when the energy of the battery is used up, the whole
spout needs to be disposed. Therefore, there is a need to be able
to reuse the spout, such as by recharging the battery. However, if
a power input port is provided on the housing, there is a risk of
damaging the electronic parts inside. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10
and 11, a pair of metal inserts 5 (Charge metal-A) and 10 (Charge
metal-B) are provided on the housing for a mobile charger (not
shown) to be attached to the spout to charge the battery inside the
spout. In a specific embodiment, metal inserts 5 and 10 may be a
pair of metal rings or arcuate contacts (in a particular
embodiment, the contacts may be steel) on the spout, such that a
mobile charger with magnets may be attached to the spout.
[0044] A liquid detection indicator is also provided to ensure that
the dosing of liquid from the pour spout is uniform and accurate.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, it is
advantageous that the liquid detection indicator is sealed into the
bottom housing, as this makes it possible to register whether
liquid flows out of the pourer during the entire period of time
which is pre- or not pre-determined.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 8, the pouring device may be provided with
an indicator 21 (such as a series of LEDs) and an
activation/selection button 22. The activation/selection button 22
can be silicone rubber which is pressed by a user's finger to
actuate the pouring device or to have any selection by consecutive
pressing as indicated by the indictor 21. However, to make the
pouring device more water-proof and avoid any pressing stuck by
sugar-containing products, a touch-sensor may be used as
activation/selection button 22.
[0046] FIGS. 6-7 show the position of liquid presence detectors 11,
12 around the silicone tube. A PCB 13 for liquid presence detectors
is also provided. FIGS. 9-11 show a mobile charger used for the
pouring device. The charger box bottom is denoted by 18 and the
charger box top is denoted by 20. The charger comprises a charger
housing with a shape adapted to be mounted on the pouring device
(see FIG. 10) to recharge the battery of the pouring device. That
is, charger housing has a cavity for the pouring device to be
passed through. Around the cavity, several magnets 17 are provided
so as to mount the charger firmly to the pouring device by magnetic
force with metal inserts 5 and 10 on the pouring device. As in the
usual, a charger circuit (indicated as PCB 19) and a battery 14 are
provided. Therefore, three circumferentially-spaced charging points
are able to detect the two metal inserts in any position such that
the pouring device can be recharged in any place by the charger
remotely to any electrical power.
[0047] After the charging of the pour device, the charger can be
removed, and then mounted to another pouring device until the power
is used up or placed back in recharging station. This allows the
pouring device to be recharged remotely, away from a power source.
The electric contact between the pour device and charger is via the
metal inserts 5 and 10 and the spring contacts (i.e. comprised by
metal ball (e.g. steel ball) 15 and spring 16).
[0048] Another benefit provided by embodiments of this invention is
an improved air valve system. Traditional pour spouts have air
valves that are made out of two parts--a housing and a metal ball.
The housing is typically made of ABS
(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), which is a plastic that can be
easily molded or extruded. The housing has an air inlet opening
that can be covered or uncovered by the metal ball. The function of
the metal ball is to allow an air stream to flow into the air inlet
opening during pouring (to displace the liquor or liquid being
poured) and to close the air stream by nesting in a seat formed at
the air inlet opening when the pouring has stopped. The main
purpose of the air valve is to close the air inlet opening in the
air valve as quickly as possible after pouring has stopped, to
prevent any liquid from running into the air tube (that connects
the air valve to the pour spout), when the bottle is returned to
the upright position.
[0049] When spouts having current air valves are positioned on a
new bottle that is completely full, the metal ball may be moved
into the open position. For example, many full bottles have an
initial liquid level that is higher than others due to varying
bottle neck lengths in existence. If the liquid is so high in the
bottle that the air valve (which is positioned at the lower portion
of the spout) touches the liquid, the pressure of the liquid up
against the ball will cause it to lift from the seat in the air
inlet opening. This movement of the ball opens the air inlet
opening, which allows liquid to flow into the air tube to at least
the same level as the liquid in the bottle. The result is that the
first pour will be not be precise because the incoming air must
push the liquid out of the air tube, which slows down the air flow
through the valve into the bottle, to displace the liquor being
poured.
[0050] Accordingly, improved air valve 26 helps prevent these
problems. As shown in FIG. 12, the air valve 26 has a slidable
weighted magnetic component 28 in addition to a metal ball 30. In
the specific embodiment shown, the slidable weighted magnetic
component 28 may comprise a separate magnet portion 32 and a
weighted component 34. The magnet portion 32 and the weighted
component 34 may be secured to one another via an adhesive means,
via magnetic force, welded, or any other appropriate securing
mechanism or system. The magnet 32 is configured to be securable to
the weighted component 34 so that the two parts move together.
Alternatively, the slidable weighted magnetic component 28 may be
an integral one-piece unit formed of at least a portion of magnetic
material, such that a magnetic portion 32 is positioned at the
ball-facing side of the component 28.
[0051] Air valve 26 also features an air valve channel 36 in which
the slidable weighted magnetic component 28 is positioned.
Component 28 should be freely slidable within air valve channel 36,
such that when air valve 26 is inverted, the component 28 will move
from one end of the channel 36 to the other. Air valve 26 also
features an air vent tube 38, which has a spout cooperating end 40
and liquid facing end 42. An air inlet opening 44 is positioned at
the liquid facing end 42, and allows air to enter the air vent tube
38 (when the ball 30 moves away from the inlet opening 44). As
shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, one or more air vents 46 may be
positioned along the sides of the liquid facing end 42. The air
inlet opening 44 leads into a ball channel 48 in which the metal
ball 30 is allowed to move in order to open and close the air inlet
opening 44.
[0052] The weighted magnetic component 28, and particularly the
magnet portion 32 of component 28, helps secure the metal ball in
place. When the air valve 26 is positioned at the end of a spout
inlet, as shown in FIG. 16, and when that collective assembly which
is positioned on a bottle with the air valve in the orientation
shown in FIG. 14, the magnet portion 32 holds the metal ball 30 in
place (e.g., in a first position) to close the air inlet opening
44, preventing external air from entering the bottle through the
air vent tube 38 when the bottle is upright (i.e., not in the
pouring position).
[0053] The magnet portion 32 is attached to (or integrally formed
with) a weighted component 34, which may be a generally circular,
heavy piece of metal which is generally tubular or hollow in shape,
as shown in FIG. 13. However, it should be understood that
component 34 may also be formed from a solid element and/or or may
be any appropriate shape (e.g., oval, cylindrical, spherical,
square, triangular, or so forth), as long as it can freely slide in
channel 36. The combined heavy metal piece and magnet form a
component 28 that freely slides inside the air valve channel 36
during inclination of the bottle. As the bottle is initially being
inverted at just a small angle, the magnet portion 32 holds
weighted magnetic component 28 to the ball 30 via magnetic force.
This weight keeps the ball in place in the first position. After
reaching an optimal pouring inclination, as shown in FIG. 15, the
weight of the weighted magnetic component 28 overcomes magnetic
force and the slidable weighted component 28 slides downward with
gravity "G." The metal ball 30 is now released from the magnet
portion 32 and allowed to move to a second position, e.g., to move
freely in the ball channel 48. This allows air to flow freely
through the air valve assembly 26, allowing the pouring process of
the spout to begin.
[0054] Using a weighted piece of heavy metal 34 as part of
component 28 helps keep the size of the valve as small as possible.
By using a dense/heavy material, the sealing function can occur as
quickly as possible, using the smallest component possible. It also
helps close the air inlet opening in the air valve as quickly as
possible after pouring has stopped, preventing any liquid from
running into the air tubing (that connects the air valve to the
pour spout), when the bottle is returned to the upright
position.
[0055] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the air
valve 26 is attached to a spout inlet 50 by a small piece of tubing
52 that is interference fit against both the bottle facing end 42
of the air valve and into an inlet hole inside the spout's main
liquor inlet. In a particular embodiment, the tubing may be a PVC
tubing that is about 0.1 to about 0.3 inches in diameter and about
1.0 to about 2.0 inches long. In an even more particular
embodiment, the tubing is about 0.160 inches in diameter and about
1.125 inches long. An example of the configuration is shown in FIG.
16.
[0056] On FIG. 13, the component beneath the ball is a cap with a
hole or orifice that allows the ball to seat against the cap. Below
the cap is a protective cap for the slide, which seals the channel
and keeps it dry by preventing liquid from entering the area.
[0057] During installation of a spout having an air valve 26
secured thereto onto a full bottle, the metal ball 30 closes off
the air inlet opening 44 due to the magnetic force between the
magnetic portion 32 and the ball 30. When the spout is being
inserted onto a full bottle, the air between the liquid surface and
the spout is compressed. If this over pressure is not released,
liquid will not come out of the spout for the first pour. Thus, the
spout is automatically opened about 1 mm during bottle replacement
from the empty bottle to a full bottle, allowing pressure build-up
during spout insertion to be relieved. When the spout's bottle
sensor switch touches the full bottle's mouth, the spout is closed
and precise pouring can start.
[0058] It is understood, therefore, that the invention is capable
of modification and therefore is not to be limited to the precise
details set forth. Various modifications, additions, and deletions
may be made in the details within the scope and range of
equivalents of the claims without departing from the spirit of the
invention and the following claims.
* * * * *