Wine extraction and preservation device and method
View Patent ↗Devices and methods are disclosed for extracting fluids from within a container sealed by a cork or septum without removal of the cork or septum or the contamination of the fluid 1 .within the container by reactive gases or liquids. Embodiments of the device can include a needle connected to a valve which is in turn connected to a source of pressurized gas for displacing the fluid. Further embodiments of the device can comprise additional components that act to force the needle to be inserted through the cork or septum along a linear path, to aid in preventing buckling of the needle, to clamp the device to the container, to prevent expulsion of the cork or septum from the container, and to guide the needle through a specified region of the cork or septum. Various valves, pressure regulators, pressure ranges, needle geometries, gas selections are also presented. This device is particularly suited for the dispensing and preservation of wine.
1. A method of extracting fluid from within a container sealed by a cork comprising the steps of:
inserting a hollow non-coring smooth exterior walled needle through said cork, wherein said smooth non-coring needle does not damage said cork and said cork remains capable of maintaining an air tight seal after removal of said needle;
wherein said needle has an inlet at one end and outlet at an other end and wherein said needle is connected to a valve that is connected to a pressure regulated source of compressed non-reactive gas;
tilting said container on its side such that the fluid contents of said container come in contact with at least one outlet of said needle;
injecting pressurized gas regulated between 15 and 50 PSI into said container through said needle outlet causing an increase of pressure within said container to a level higher than the surrounding atmospheric pressure but limiting it between 15 and 50 PSI;
allowing flow of said fluid to be driven by said pressure through at least one said needle outlet to a needle inlet outside of said container until a desired amount of fluid is extracted;
returning said container to an upright position to allow contact between said needle outlet and excess gas from within said container, so that said excess gas can vent through said needle to said needle inlet outside of said container until a desired lower pressure is reached; and
removing said needle from said cork;
said extraction of fluid from a container sealed by a cork achieved without the removal of said septum, plug or cork and exposing the fluid to air.
2. A method of extracting fluid from within a container sealed by a cork comprising the steps of:
inserting a single lumen smooth exterior walled non coring needle beyond said closure device and into the container, wherein said needle is operable to maintain the integrity of the cork to prevent unwanted gaseous or liquid ingress or egress after removal of said needle;
injecting a pressurized non-reactive gas into said container through said hollow needle thereby causing an increase of pressure within said container to a level higher than the surrounding atmospheric pressure;
allowing said fluid within said container to be forced out of said container by said pressure through said needle until a desired amount of fluid is extracted;
regulating the delivery of the gas such that flow of the fluid is achieved while the volume of fluid in the container is decreased by increasing or maintaining the pressure in the container and limiting the pressure to prevent the expulsion or leakage around the cork; and
removing said needle from said cork thereby allowing said cork to reseal;
said extraction of fluid from a container is achieved without the removal of said cork and exposing the fluid to air.
3. The method in claim 2 further comprising the step of engaging said container proximal to said cork and restricting said cork from being expelled from said container.
4. The method in claim 1 further comprising the step of inserting the needle through a foil cover surrounding the cork and not removing said foil.
5. The method in claims 2 further comprising the step of inserting the needle through a foil cover surrounding the cork and not removing said foil.
6. The method in claim 1 further comprising the step of engaging said container proximal to said cork and restricting said cork from being expelled from said container.