Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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I
GAS ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY
Background-p'ield of the Invention
This invention is directed to a gas actuator assembly for the injection of a
compressed gas into a sealed
vessel and the evacuation of air therefrom, for the carbonation of fluids in
open or sealed vessels, and for the
controlled release of gas from a compressed sotuce.
Background-The Prior Art
This invention serves as a multipurpose portable tool with three primary
applications: to maintain the
quality of a partially-consumed container of wine or other oxidizable fltud.
to allow simplified carbonation or
recarbonation of soft drinks, seltzer or other beverages. and to serve as a
convenient portable tool for the
displacement of air or other gases from bottles, beakers or other enclosed
containers, especially those containing
foods. Prior art includes devices for each specific task but does not include
devices with similar combined usase.
Hence. this device provides a unique efficiency and functionality_
Furthermore. this device provides substantial
and unique improvements in the accomplishment of each of the aforementioned
primary applications.
It is well known to most connoisseurs and other drinkers of wine that the
quality of wine remaining in
a container after its contents has been partially dispensed. deteriorates
rapidly. This is due to chemical reactions
between the wine and molecules of air in contact with it. The chemistry of
wine is very complex, its
ingredients and flavoring agents may number over a thousand. Wine is known to
be very sensitive: slight
changes in just a few of these ingredients can dramatically alter the taste
and drinkability of the wine. Oxygen
is perhaps wine's greatest enemy, although there are thought to be other
ingredients in air that can react with
wine. Oxygen causes oxidation of many major components of the wine. which in
turn can cause chain reactions
that can dramatically alter the taste of the open container of wine after only
a few days. This problem is
particularly acute with many red wines, which connoisseurs often re_aard as
undrinkable after more than a day of
exposure to air. Almost a1I wines become undrinkable after a few days of
exposure to air.
Indeed, this problem has confounded winemakers for many years. In wineries.
expensive, large, and
elaborate devices are employed to create powerful vacuums to eliminate air or
that use complex inert gas
systems to isolate wine from air. However, this problem has not been
sufficiently addressed at the consumer
level. This has had a profound sociological effect: individuals who might want
just one or two glasses of wine
with a meal or as a cocktail, may find that it is uneconomical to fulfill
their desires. as to do so would involve
wasting much of a bottle of wine. The rapidly increasing prices of wines make
these economic considerations
even more acute. Furthermore, this problem has made the enjoyment of exotic
wines such as the first-growth
Bordeauxes. economically unattainable for those whose means do not allow them
to easily envision constmiing
a bottle of wine, possibly costing several hundred dollars; at one sitxing_
Such an individual might find it easier
to try a bottle of such wine if he could spread its enjoyment overa
longerperiod of time. This invention would
also allow smaller restaurants to offer larger wineiists by the glass or
carafe. as spoilage of unfinished bottles of
su~smvr~ s~~uRUCFZS3
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wines would cease to become a consideration, thereby allowing people of
average means to occasionally sample
fine wines without having to make an unaffordabIy large expenditure on an
entire bottle. Before this invention.
such opportunities did not exist Much wine has been wasted and much potential
demand for wine has gone
unfulfilled-
Prior art ways for the consumer to diminish the damage caused by air on wine
has varied from the
simple: recorking the boale, to the absurd: inserting balloons into bottles to
help displace some of the air (U.S.
Pat. 3.343.701 ). The fot~ter is ineffective as it fails to remove the air
under the cork that displaced the
consumed wine. and the latter. impractical and ineffective, as the balloon is
subject to rupture, fails to displace
all of the air- and tends to tarnish the flavor of the wine by virtue of its
direct contact- Other approaches have
included consumer devices for creating vacuums in the bottles of the wine
(U.S. Pats. 4,763,803 & 4,911,314).
Such devices are ineffective for several reasons : first they do not create
vacuums strong enough to eliminate all
of the air. To do so would make the seals extremely difficult for the consumer
to open and would tend to pose
problems of the wine possibly being sucked into the sealer pump during
application of suction. There is also
the proolem of risk of the disparities in pressure causing the bottle to
crack. Seating the stopper firmly during
suction would also be rather problematic for most consumers. Furthermore. the
slit valves utilized in present
designs tend to leak air over time and are inconsistent with the restraint of
a strong vacuum. The nature of the
movable parts. particularly in .the pump mechanism- also contributes toward a
limited Iifespan for the device. -
the seals and springs in such air pumps are known to degrade over time.
Those skilled in the food-packing art have used non-reactive gases to displace
air in the sealing of foods
and beverases. Examples of such usage is exempIitied by U.S. Pats. 586.632.
I.?63,278. 2?04,833,
2.333.898. 2.70~.~78, 2.758.766. 2.862.528, 3? 12.537, 3.406.079. .1.556.174,
3,804,133, 3.837,137,
and 4,312171. However. these patents are directed toward the sealing of a
filled container and not to the
particular problems confronted by consumers who open sealed containers and
wish to reseal them. particularly
when the contents have been partially depleted.
Two devices which utilize inert oases to help preserve wine that has been
opened and partially
consumed are disclosed in U.S. Pats. 4,475.76 and 1.477,477. However. both of
these patents use designs and
methods inferior to those proposed in this application.
U.S. Pat. 4,4.75,576 discloses a stopperina apparatus that provides multiple
stoppers which are
designed to have the "dispensing head of an inert gas dispenser" plugged
directly into the stopper. The device
makes use of check valves in the stopper to seal the contact point of the
injection apparatus and the evacuation
aperture. Typically. such a stopper would take the form of a tapered rubber
cork with molded check valves
described as "a resilient tubular sleeve with a pinched downstream end
permitting gases to pass only from within
the tube out through the pinched end." These pinched check valves (similar to
those of U.S. Pats. 4.763,803 &
4,911.314) are subject to degradation. as they are fairly flimsy in design and
tend to deteriorate over repeated use.
These valves are also subject to blockage or leakage. as small particles
sticking within the pinched area can
easily break the seal, admitting air. Wine is also likely to splash into this
area and create deposits which can
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3
cause blockage or seal failure. Such a design also forces the consumer to face
the troublesome task of carefully
cleaning each stopper before and after each use. in order to prevent such
accumulation in the valves. Such
necessary cleaning can also damage these valves_ These pinched valves. as they
are seated within a resilient
seating. are also Likely to deform through use as the stopper flexes with
repeated insertion into bottles.
These check valves which release at "slightly above one atmosphere of
pressure." are likely to break their seals
should the gases within the bottle expand or contract with significant changes
in temperature.
Such flaws in the sealing mechanism. while an improvement over prior devices
are disadventageous
because the valves deteriorate over time and are not suitable for the storage
of wine for periods longer than a
couple or weeks. This design also presumes the need for a countertop inert-gas
dispenser and is inferior because
it is not easily portable. Furthermore, the seat in the stopper for the
"dispensing head of an inert gas dispenses'
is likely to be stretched and deformed over repeated use. thereby decreasing
its iifespan. The design for this type
of seating head also may be problematic for many consumers, particularly those
with arthritis or poor eyesight.
as it requires that the inert gas dispenser head be properly aligned and
sealed with the stopper. all in a very small
area of space: (the stopper.of a bottle): The stopper. due to its small
surface area. can also be difficult to remove,
as it does allow one's hand to sufficiently grip it and thereby attain much
leverage. This problem will be
particularly acute with bottles with narrow necks. Fnally. this device is
limited for use with wine. and cannot
be easily used with opened containers of juices. foods. or for other
applications.
U.S_ Patent 4. 477,477 discloses a method 'and system for preserving wine that
includes a source of
pressurized_ inert gas. and a delivery apparatus to a bottle. The device
includes numerous parts and exposed
connections and is awkward to use and transport and is easily =uscepdble to
damage. The device requires
several steps in order for it to work that would be undesirable for those
consumers who are not mechanically-
inclined.
The device includes a source of inert gas. a valve. a connecting tube
connected to the valve. which in
turn is connected to an adjustable nozzle. which in turn is connected to a
mounting device similar to a straight
stopper. within which its height is adjusrahIe by sliding the nozzle up and
down and tightening with a
positioning means. The nozzle is required to be positioned directly above the
surface of the wine. This
mounting device is held in place in the bottle by a "mounting means comprising
a plurality of supports
projecting in spaced relationship around the perimeter of said mounting
means." The spaces between these
mounting means are desiQtted to allow the expelled air to escape. One is
supposed to use the device to place an
inert gas cover atop the wine and then remove the device and recork the
container.
This prior art device has several undesirable design features. The tubing
connecting the valve on the
gas source to the adjustable nozzle is prone to breakage. leakage. and dry
rot. This could shorten the lifespan of
the device and may allow some air to be sucked into the injection tube and
into the bottle. This tubing is also
prone to slipping off both the valve and the adjustable nozzle. causing
failure of the device. The device also
requires that the nozzle be adjusted up and down within the stopper (mounting
device). This is undesirable. as it
is prone to creating leaks over time as the fit between nozzle and stopper
becomes less snug over repeated
movement of the nozzle. Use of a screwpin to tighten the nozzle would tend to
create a shorter lifespan for the
device as the pin is likely to be lost or the threads worn down over repeated
use. Such a pin would also damage
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the nozzle. It also requires several needless steps in adjusting the height of
the nozzle. The device is also
intended to 'position the injection nozzle overthe surface of the wine_ This
method does not provide the benefits
of inserting the nozzle beneath the surface of the wine, allowing the gas to
bubble upward. Such a method
would allow the inert gas to not only displace the air in the bottle more
reiiably_ by a~~~r~ng abeuer fII of the
headspace. it would also allow much of the air that was dissolved in the wine
to be displaced by the inezt gas.
The supports which surround and hold up the "mounting means" and create spaces
for the expelled air
to escape are not only awkward and time-consuming to put into place. they also
do not address the problems
posed by bottles with different neck sizes. A wide neck would mean that these
supports would fail or that the
stopper would be fit only loosely into the bottle. A small neck may preclude
these supports from fitting or
may cause the stopper to be so cotitpressed against the supports that many of
the ventilation spaces are closed_
leading to dangerous pressure levels developing within the bottle as the
compressed gas is injected. These
spaces also do not allow the bottle to develop a true seal while the stopper
is in place. nor is this the intent of
the device. In fact. the design is such that the user is supposed to remove
the entire apparatus and then install a
cork or-othervseal atop the head of inezc gas. This method permits auto be
trapped above the inert gas and under
. the cork. This air under the cork still allows the wine to be somewhat
compromised by the effects of oxidation.
Convection and human agitation of the bottle are likely to allow the air to
directly contact the wine. even in the
presence of a blanket of inert gas.
. . . The stopper, due to its small surface area. can also be difficult2o
remove. as it does allow one's hand to '
suff ciently dip it and thereby attain much leverage. This problem will be
particularly acute with bottles with ' ..
narrow necks. This device is also limited for use with wine and cannot easily
be used to preserve opened
containers of juices. foods, or for other applications.
A second primary use for the present device is for the carbonation of
beverages. including water to
make seltzer. and juices to make more nutritious sodas. This device would also
allow soft drinks which have
gone "i3at" to be easily recarbonated_ It would also allow previously opened
containers of soft drinks to be
sealed. preventing decarbonation and spoilage.
Devices have been made to carbonate beverages for professional and bulk usage
and to carbonate
beverages for home use. Prominent examples are disclosed in tT.S. Pats.
2.593.7 r0. :1..298.551, and
5.031.799. However, most of these apparatuses are not readily portable.
difficult to clean. and dedicated solely
for carbonation. Portable carbonators tend to be of the seltzer-bottle
variety, exemplified by U.S. Pat.
2.805.84b. These devices are designed to carbonate entire containers and are
generally not designed to allow a
consumer to quickly and easily carbonate a single glass of orange juice or
other beverage that is not necessarily
in a bottle or closed container.
Most carbonators of the portable variety carbonate the contents of a single
bottle specifically designed
for that carbonazor. They also tend to be difficult to clean and maintain.
They also fail to provide utility
outside of carbonation. Furthermore. most existing devices are sealed systems
that permit dangerous pressure
levels to build up inside the bottles, hence requiring that the bottles be
reinforced with metal or wire mesh to
prevent explosion as compressed gas is injected_
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A third primary use for the present device is for the removal of air fram
bottles, beakers and other
enclosed containers. Those skilled in the food-packing art have long been
familiar with the use of various
unreactive gases to displace air in the sealing of foods and beverages.
Examples of such usage are exemplified
by U.S. Pazs. 586.632, 1,263,278, 2,204.833, 2333,898, 2,705,578, 2,758,766,
2,862.528, 3.212,537,
3,406,079. 3.~56,I74, 3,804,133, 3,837.137. and 4,312171_ These patents are
directed toward the sealing
of a filled container and not to the particular problems confronted by
consumers who open sealed containers and
wish to reseal them, particularly when the contents have been partially
depleted.
Each year. enormous amounts of food are wasted. as consumers do not fully
consume the food that they
purchase_ Many throw out whatever food is left over after a meal, as they know
that even with refrigeration. the
food will quickly deteriorate. Most deterioration is caused by direct
oxidation of the food by air and by the
destruction of bacteria, which feed off of the food and the air. Dehydration
is also a contributing factor. The
thrifty have long recognized that food keeps longer when they are kept in
sealed containers and/or refrigerated.
Efforts to retard spoilage by reducing exposure to air vary from wrapping the
food in waxed paper or aluminum
foil to placing it into a lidded container such as Tupperware~ or other
containers with tightly-fitting lids. This
may increase the shelf life of most foods by as much as several days. Yet
eventually, oxidation and bacteria
takes. its toll:°rendering the-food inedible. Most previous devices
tend to attack the problem by decreasing the
amount of air present in the sealed containers by making the containers better
conform to the shape of the food
or perishable therein. Container manufacturers offer containers in various
sizes. in an effort to provide one that
more closely matches the need at hand. The problem with the lidded containers
is that their inherent rigidity
does not allow them to conform closely to non-liquid foods. Subsequently, much
air tends to remain under the . -
lid.
Most recent advances have occurred in the design of zapper-style locking
plastic bags (U.S. Pats.
4,212.33 7, 4.363.345, 4,829,641. 4.907,321), which allow the flexible
membrane of the wall of the bas to
be pressed close to the food. thereby leaving little room for air. The
partially-airtight zipper seal helps to keep
moisture in and most air out.
Yet even these methods are imperfect. as enough air still remains in the bags
to do significant damage
to the food. Also. the zipper seals tend to break apart fairly easily and the
bags are generally not intended for
extended use. Plastic bags are also not compatible with sealing food that is
still hot or food that is very messy.
Foods are also harder to extract from plastic bags than they are from the
lidded containers. It would therefore
be a significant advance in the art of storing foods. including beverages such
as wine. to provide a device which
preserves the food with an inert gas so that little if any air is in contact
with the food durino storage and which
is capable of carbonating beverages. as well.
CA 02202359 2005-07-20
Sa
In a broad aspect, the present invention relates to a gas actuator assembly
comprising: a) a storage compartment; b) a pressurized gas source contained
entirely within
the housing; c) first connector means for connecting the gas source to a
compressed gas
supply tube for supplying compressed gas to a vessel; d) an evacuation tube
extending into
the vessel; e) second connector means for connecting the evacuation tube to an
outlet in the
housing for evacuating air contained within the vessel, and f) actuation means
positioned
relative to the housing and operatively connected to the first and second
connector means
for enabling compressed gas to travel from the gas source through the
compressed gas
supply tube into the vessel while simultaneously enabling air to be removed
from the vessel
through the evacuation tube.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
The following drawings. in which Iiice reference characsers iadicate IiIce
parts, are illustrative of
embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention as
encompassed by the claims forming
part of the application. '
Fig. 1 is a side view of a gas actuator assembly, in accordance with the
present invention:
Fig. 2 is a side view of a boNe injection and sealing apparatus in accordance
with the present
invention. shown placed into a bottle;
F g_ 3 is a side view of an extension tube for attachment to the gas actuator
assembly for carbonation
use. or to the bottle injection and sealing apparatus for use in preserving
bottled fluids;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the gas actuator assembly shown in Figure 1 attached
to a bottle injection and
sealing apparatus, as shown in Figure 2:
Fig. 5 is a side view of the system of Figure 4 including an extension tube
attached to the bottle
injection and sealing apparatus;
Fig. 6 is a side view of the gas actuator assembly, including an extension
tube. which is inserted into a
glass of a carbonated beverage;
Fig..7 is.a<side.view of a container for the preservation of food or other
perishables. attached to avgas
actuator assembly; -
Fg: 8 is a side view of another container attached to a gas actuator assembly;
Fig. 9~°is a side view of a lid of a food container attached to a gas
actuator assembly;
Fig. I0 is a top view of the gas actuator assembly shown in Fgure 1. modified
formuitiple gas
sources:
Fig. 1 I is a side view of the container of Figure 7. modif ed by a compressed
gas source directly
atiacited. thereon:
FiQ. I2 is a side view of the container of Figure 8, modified by a compressed
gas source directly
attached thereon: and
Fig. 13 is a side view of the bottle injection and sealing apparatus of Figure
2. modified by a
compressed gas source directly attached thereon.
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Summary of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a gas actuator assembly for supplying a
compressed gas to a
container. the assembly includes a self contained supply of compressed gas,
preferably in the form of a cartridge
of compressed gas which is transmitted through a tube to below the Level of a
Liquid contained in a vessel such
as a wine bottle. an evacuation tube that is provided to remove air from the
vessel and an activatine device for
simultaneously activating the flow of compressed gas and the evacuation of
air.
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DefaiIed Description of the Invention
Fg: I represents a typical embodiment of a gas-sourtx actuator assembly. The
assembly is intended
to serve as the primary component of the preservationlcarbonarion system of
the present invention, to which
attachments can be connected. The bulk of this device is housed inside~of an
external~housing (1). Said
housing serves to protect and position internal components and gas source,
while also serving as a simple
means for holding and positioning said actuator. A preferred embodiment of the
external housing (1) includes a
dip for placing the index finger (2) and a handgrip (8) for positioning the
rhirri fourth_ and fifth digits of the
operator s hand and housing a replaceable seltzer-bottle style gas caruidge or
other gas source (9). The handgrip
(8) is provided with screwthreads or other means for securing a positioning
cap (10) for the installation and
removal of the gas cartridge (9}. There is also provided an an opening for a
large thumb-activated button (5).
an opening for an emergency pressure release valve (14), an opening for an
exhaust tube for evacuated air (3),
openings for a gas-source component connector tube (I~ and an air exhaust
component connector tube (17).
The housing is typically constructed out of a durable hard material. such as
plastic or metal. The housing is
preferably the approximate size of an adult human hand.
Contained within the housing (1) is a cartridge positionin==aide (I1) attached
by a screw or other
means to the.screw cap~(IO). As the screwcap (I0) is tightened. the cartridge
positioning guide-(lI) contacts
the rear end of the gas cartridge (9), pushing the gas cartridse (9) toward a
hollow connecting pin (7). Further .
tightening of screwcap causes the hollow connecting pin (7) to puncture the
neck-end of the gas carwidse (9),
thereby causing gas to flow from the gas cartridge (9) throw the hollow
connection pin (7) through a gas -
transport tube (6B) to an actuator control valve (12) for the gas source_
which prohibits further flow of the gas
unless the button (5) is pressed. A pliable connector seal (6A). similar to a
rubber washer. is affixed to the
gas transport tube (6B). surrounding the base of the hollow connector pin (
7). As the screwcap (10) is fully
ti~tened. the pressurized gas cartridge (9) is pushed snugly a~~ainst the
pliable connector seal (6A), thereby --
sealing the mouth of the pressurized gas cartridge (9) to prevent leakage of
any gas from the connection and to
prevent air from leaking into the connection.
The actuator button (S) is connected to valve activators (4) of actuator
control valves (12) and (13).
Depressing said button causes both valve activators (4) to open valves (I2)
and (13). in tandem. The opening
of the control valve (12) for the gas source allows source gas to pass from
gas transport tube (6B) through the
control v give (I2) into an actuator gas source lead tube (15) which directs
the flow of gas downward to a
peripheral attachment. as described hereinafrer. On the gas sout~ce lead tube.
there is an emergency pressure
release valve (14) which will vent gas from the lead tube (lei to outside of
the housing (1) in the event that
blockage of gas flow causes dangerous pressure levels to develop in the lead
tube (IS). Said emergency release
valve (14) preferably opens only under conditions where the pressure in the
lead tube far exceeds one
atmosphere. where such pressure. if unvented, may pose a danger to the
operator of the system or to the
structural integrity of the system itself.
The= simultaneous opening of the air exhaust control valve- (13) allows
evacuated air to pass upward
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s
from as actuator exhaust lead tube (I8) througli the air exhaust control valve
(13) through the exhaust tube for
evacuated air (3). The release of the buttoa (~ causes both actuator control
valves (12) and (13) to close.
On the bottom of both the actuator gas soutze lead tube (1S) and the-actuator
gas source lead rube (18), are
connectors (I6) and (1'7), which allow said Lead tubes to be easily connected
to the tubes of the peripheral
accessories described hereinafter. In a preferred embodiment. the connectors
(I~ and (1~ are short tubes
having diameters suffciently in excess of the diameters of the lead tubes (I~
and (18) and the tubes of the
peripheral devices to which the lead tubes are to be connected. One end of
each connector is permanently
connected and sealed to its respective lead tube (I~ or (18). The inside of
each connector (16) or (1'n is '--
lined with a pliable material such as rubber or polytetrafluoroethyiene: to
improve the airtighmess of the
connection seals when the tubes of the peripheral devices are inserted into
the connectors.
Figures 2-9 disclose devices which may be attached to the gas actuator
assembly in accordance with
the present. Referring to Figure 2. there is shown a preferred embodiment for
a bottle injection and sealing
apparatus (bottle injector),that.operates as a peripheral attachment.to the
device of Fig. 1. For ciaritication
purposes. the apparatus is shown inserted into the neck (2~) of a bottle (27)
of wine or other fluid (31). As
shown_ the primary gas injection tip and connector (32) has been immersed
below the surface (30) of the wine
or.other fluid (31). The:devjce has an external housing (21) which serves to
position and protect the-valve
components (22), the bottle: injector exhaust tube (I9) and the bottle
injector gas lead tube (20). while also
serving as a convenient handle: for the operator to insert and remove the
device from a bottle (2'~. The external ._
housing (21) is made of a solid material, such as metal or plastic. Attached
to an external housing (2I) ,
thereby forming an inte~al unit, is a tapered bottle corlang interface (24),
made of or covered with a pliable
resilient material such as rubber. Said corking interface is tapered downward.
with the topmost portion wider
than the necks of most conceivable wine bottles, with the lower portion
sufficiently narrow as to ftt into most
narrow-necked wine bottles. Such tapering allows the device to easily fit
snu~Iy inco bottlenecks ranging in
size from the very wide to the very narrow. The pliable. resilient material of
the corking interface (241 causes
said interface to fit snugly against the internal wall of a bottle's neck
(ZS), thereby creating an airtight seal
between the corking interface (24) and the neck of the bottle (2~.
A gas lead tube (20) extends from above the external housing, then through the
housing into an
internal sealing valve (22) . On the bottom of said valve. the fIowpath
continues into a lower gas lead tube
(29) extending into the bottle (2~.
Similarly, a bottle injector exhaust rube (19) extends from above the external
housing, then through
the housing into an internal sealing valve (22). On the bottom of said valve.
the_ flowpath continues into a
lower injector exhaust tube. which shall terminate with an exhaust aperture
(26) flush with the bosom of the
tapered bottle corking interface (24). The exhaust aperture (2~ is thus
positioned within the bottle at the
highest point possible. The high positioning of the exhaust aperture (26)
serves three advantages. (a) if an
inert gas with a molecular weight. heater than that of oxygen is used (e.g.
Argon), the heavier inert gas would
naturally tend to push the lighter gas (28) (air or oxygen) upward. hence it
is desireable to vent the system at
the upwardmost point, (b) placing the exhaust aperture (26) farfrom the
injection tip (32) and at a high
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position assures that air is initially vented. as the pressure of the incoming
and rising gas will tend to force the
air is the headspace above the wine (or other liquid) upward. toward the
corking interface. and (c) placing the
exhaust aperture as high as possible minimizes the chance of wine leaking.
splashing, or being propelled into
the bottle injection and sealing apparams_
The top of the bottle injector gas lead tube (20) is connected to the gas
source component connector
(I6) of Fig. 1. Similarly, the top of a bottle injector exhaust tube (I9) is
connected to the air exhaust
component connector (I77 of Fig. 1, thereby providing a completed ciicuit for
the injection of an inert gas and
the removal of air contained within the bottle.
Attached to the bottom of the lower injector gas lead tube (29) is a connector
(32) similar to the
connectors (I6) and (I'n. The connector (32) may be provided with small holes
(50) through the lower
portion of the walls of the connector. The holes (50) allow bubbles of =as to
pass through the sides of the
connector to facilitate injection of Das into a bottle. Positioning of the
holes (50) on the lower sides of the
connector will not interfere with the creation of an airtight seal. should an
extension tube (52) as shown in
Fig.3 be. inserted into the connector. as there will be enough contact surface
area above the holes to allow for
such a seal_
The sealing valve (22) simultaneously opens or closes both the gas Lead
passages (20) and (29) and
the air exhaust passages (19) and (23). Hence. when the valve (~?) is closed.
the contents of the bottle are
effectively sealed from.the=outside.. Conversely, when the valve (22) is
opened. the bottle is unsealed. allowing y
gas to be injected through the.passages (20) and (29), and air to be evacuated
through the passages (23) and
(I9).
AlthouQYt it is not necessary for the injection tip (32) to be immersed in the
wine (or other liquid) for
the device to function properly in evacuating air from a bottle. it usually
will be preferred to help displace air
that has dissolved in the liquid, as well as air in the headspace above the
liquid. Nitrogen gas is somewhat
soluble in wine. Consequently, should it be used: one may wish to position the
injection tip (32) above the
wine. However. it should be observed that even if some nitrogen gas is
dissolved into the wine, it does not tend
to alter its drittkability.
Referring again to Fig. 3. the extension tube (52) which is designed to fit
into the primary injection
tip and connector (32) of the injection and sealing apparatus of Fig. 2. Such
connectors allow the injection
site to be lowered in the event that a tall bottle and/or a bottle with a very
small amount of wine is used. Such
connectors can also be connected in series, one to another, in order to
further elongate the gas lead tube (29).
The extension tube (52) attaches directly to the gas source component
connector (16), for use in beverage
carbonation as described hereinafter. The extention tube (52) includes a shaft
(33) and a gas injection tip and
connector (34), similar in design and attachment to that of the injection tip
(32). The shaft (33) is a tube of
similar desist and diameter to the tubing used throughout the system and will
easily fit snugly inside connectors
(16) for carbonation use or the connectors (32) or (34) for bottle injection
use. The extension tube (52)
may also be provided with small holes (54) on the side of the connector (34)
to allow bubbles of gas to pass
therethmu~
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Figs. 4 & 5 illustrate how the components would Iooic if connected together
for the preservation of
a bottle of wine or other liquid. In order to seal a wine bottle_ the actuator
assembly shown is Fig 1 is
provided with a cartridge (9) of pressurized uareactive or inert source gas.
such as nitrogen, argon. or helium.
Illustrated is the actuator assembly shown in Fig. I properly attached to the
boaIe injection and sealing
apparatus shown in Fig. Z, which has been snugly placed into a bottle of wine
or other fluid. When the
sealing valve (22) on the bottle injection and sealing apparatus is open. and
the button depressed, gas will flow
from the pressurized gas cartridge (9) into the bottle through the gas
injection tip (3Z). The air in the bottle
will be exhausted through the exhaust aperture (2~ and eventually out through
the exhaust tube (3) of the
actuator. The pressure release valve (I4) is preferably provided (see Fgtse I)
in the event the operator
accidentally fails to open the injector sealing valve (2Z) before depressins
the button (~. In this event, gas
pressure will unacceptably build up between the sealins valve (22) and the
cartridge (9). This hazard is
eliminated by the inclusion of an emergency release valve (14), which provides
the has a controlled means of
escape_ The valve .(I4) may be designed to emit a signal (e.g_ a hissing
sound) if activated to alert the operator
of the failure to open sealing valve (22).
. . . Fig. ~ provides for an extension tube (52) to be attached to the primary
injection tip and connector
(32) of a bottle injection-and sealing apparatus_ The extension tube (527
allows the injector to he adapted for
operativ a connection to taller bottles.
The devices shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 can also be used to carbonate a bottle
of liquid. In this
embodiment of the invention, a cartridge of compressed carbon dioxide gas is
used as the gas source (9) in the
actuator assembly. Bubbling carbon dioxide gas through a liquid causes
carbonation to occur within 5-10
seconds. for most applications.
Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention adapted for carbonation of a
beverage within a
Qlass. The actuator of Fig. I is attached to an extension tube of Fig. 3 at
the primary gas injection tip and
connector (327. The extension tube Qas injector tip (34) is inserted into the
beverage (3~ in a glass or other
container (3~). For this embodiment. the gas source (9) must be compressed
carbon dioxide, hence a carbon
dioxide cartridge must be inserted into the actuator as described in the
discussion of Fig. 1. Depressing the
buuon (~? will cause carbon dioxide aas to flow from the cartridge (9) in the
actuator, through the shaft of the
extension tube (33) through the extension tube gas injection tip (34) into the
beverage. Carbon dioxide gas
vigoroush~ injected into a beverage. in the method described. will cause the
beverage to become well-carbonated
after-10 seconds, formost applications.
Fig. T illustrates a specialized container and lid assembly for the
preservation of food, beverages, or
other perishables (43). designed to be used in conjunction with an actuator
assembly of the type illustrated in
Fig: I. The container and lid assembly includes a wailed storage vessel (42)
with an airtight lid (38) with a
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connection means to an gas actuator on the lid. The preferred embodiment shall
have a sealing valve similar to
that of the injector sealing valve (22) which simultaneously opens and closes
a lid injection tube (41) and lid
exhaust tube (40) in a manner comparable to that of the opening and closure of
bottle injector lead tube (20)
and bottle injector exhaust tube (19) of Fig. 2, as described earlier. Similar
to the arrangement shown in
Fig_ (2)r the lid exhaust tube (40) has its lower aperture flush whit the lid
(381 of the container. The lid
injection tube (41) is presized to extend nearly to the bottom of the
container. The application of the actuator
and the use of the lid sealing valve (39) is identical to the method described
in Figs. 2-3, with the comparable
valve (22) on the bottle injection and sealing apparatus. The lid injection
tube (4I) is designed to fit snugly
into the gas source component connector (16) of the actuator. The lid exhaust
tube (40) is designed to fit
snugly into the air exhaust component connector (I7) of the actuator. The lid
(38) is attached to the container
(42) in an airtight manner at contact points (37) around the perimeter of the
lid_ The particle type of lid is
weal-latown in the art including screw-on and snap-on lids. The height and
shape of the wall (42) of the
specialized container may vary. Both the lid (38) and the container walls (42)
are typically made of a solid
subsrance..such as plastic_ The preferred design for such a container would
place the has injection tube as close
to the wall (42) of the container as possible, so as to maximize storage
capacity.
Fig. 8 illustrates a specialized container identical to that shown in Fig. 7
except that attachment for
the gas actuator is on the container wall (42), instead of on the lid (44).
The valued exhaust tube (4~ is
typically placed as high as possible on the side of the container; without
interfering with the closure of the Lid.
for the same reasons as those given in the discussion of Fig. 2_ The gas
injection tube bends and follows the
wail of the container (42) down to near the bottom to maximize capacity.
Fig.9 is an illustration of a multipurpose lid (38) which contains a means of
connecting an actuator
of the type shown in Fig. 1. The lid is intended to be placed onto original
containers of food. thereby
eliminating the need to decant the opened containers into specialized vessels,
such as those of Figs. 7 & 8.
'The lid is comparable to that shown in Fig.7 with two principal differences:
(a) it is intended to fit a variety of
containers. rather than a single type of container and <b) the specialized lid
gas injection tube (41) has a gas
injector and connector tip (48) on it that is of the type shown in Fig. 2.
This allows the extension tube (33)
(shown in Fig. 3) to be attached in a manner similar to the embodiment of the
invention shown in Fig. ~.
Such attachment will allow sizing the injection tip to the containers height
in a manner comparable to that
described with respect to Fig. 3.
Several methods might be used to properly size such a lid so that it will fit
onto an original container.
For example. a mufti-sized set of lids may be created to fit most major bottle
and jar mouths. In addition. an
elastic sidewall may be provided. allowing one lid to fit jar or bottle mouths
of different sizes.
Fig. 10 is an illustration of a gas source actuator assembly comparable to the
type shown in Fig.
1. with a modification allowing the housing to hold simultaneously two gas
cartridges (9) in a manner similar
to that of the actuator assembly shown in Fig. 1. A gas source selecting
switch (58) allows the operator to
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select one of the gas cartridges as the gas source for injection. This
eimminates the need for removal of a gas
cartridge in the event that the operator wishes to switch from use of one type
of gas to use of another.
Fig. II is an illustration of a specialized container identical to that shown
in Fig. 7, except that an
inert gas cat~tridge (9) is enclosed within a housing similar to that of the
handgrip (8) shown in Fig.l, which
is operatively connected to the lid (38) of the container_ The gas camidge is
operatively attached to the lid
sealing valve (39), in a manner similar to that shown in Fig.l. Activation of
the sealing valve (39) will
cause gas to flow from the camidge (9), through the gas injection tube (41)
and into the container, while the
air within the container is simultaneously allowed to be expelled through the
exhaust tube (40). Closing the
valve (39) will stop the flow of gas from the caruidge. The use of one valve
(39) eliminates the need for a
pressure release valve of the type of valve {14), as the flow of gas to the
container is unobstructed. Placement
of the has source directly on the container (as opposed to the embodiment
illustrated in Fig.l), reduces the
number of steps that the operator need take to expel air from therein and
makes the embodiment more compact.
Fig. I2 is an illustration of a specialized container identical to that shown
in Fig. 8, except that an
inert gas cartridge (9) is enclosed within a housing similar to that of the
band~ip (8) shown in Fig.I. which
is operatively connected to the sidewall (42) of the container. The gas
cartridge is operatively attached to the
sidewall sealing valve (45), in a manner similar to that shown in Fig.l.
Activation of the sealing valve
(45) will cause gas to=flow from the'cartridge (9), through the gas injection
tube (4b) and into the container,
while the air within the container is simultaneously allowed to be expelled
through the exhaust tube (47}.
Closing the, valve (45) will stop the flow of gas from the cartridge_ The use
of one valve (45~ eliminates the
need for a pressure release valve of the type of valve (14), as the slow of
gas to the container is unobstructed.
Placement of the gas source directly on the container (as opposed to the
embodiment illustrated in Fi~l),
reduces the number of steps that the operator need take to expel air from
therein and makes the embodiment
more compact_
Fig. I3 is an illustration of a bottle injector and sealing apparatus
identical to that shown in Fig. 2.
except that an inert gas cartridge (9) is enclosed within a housing similar to
that of the handgrip (8) shown in
Fig.I. which is operatively connected within the handgrip (2I). The gas
cartridge is operatively attached to
the injector sealing valve (22), in a manner similar to that shown in Fig.l.
Activation of the sealing valve
(2.~.) will cause gas to flow from the cartridge (9), through the gas
injection tube (20) and into the bottle.
while the air within the bottle is simultaneously allowed to be expelled
through the exhaust tubes (23 &19).
Closing the valve (2?.) will stop the flow of gas from the cartridge_ The use
of one valve (2 :) eliminates the
need for a pressure release valve of the type of valve (14), as the flow of
gas to the bottle is unobstructed below
the valve. Placement of the gas sotuce directly within the bottle injector and
sealing apparatus (as opposed to
the embodiment illustrated in Fig.I), reduces the number of steps that the
operator need take to expel air from
within the bottle and makes the embodiment more compact.
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Examgle 1
First, if one is not already installed. the user must install a carncidge of
pressurized inert or unreactive
gas into the gas actuator assembly described in Fig.l. This is done by
unscrewing the screwcap (I0) on the
handgrip (8) of the gas actuator assembly. Any empty caraidge (9) therein must
be removed. Once the
screwcap is removed. any caruidge within the handgrip (8) should be easily
accessible and removable with one's
fingers. After removing the cartridge (9), if any, a new cartridge of inert or
unreactive gas (9) is slid into the
handgrip (8). making sure that the neck-end of the cartridge is inserted
titst. Resistance to further pushing
will be felt as the cartridge's neck contacts the hollow connecting pin (7).
The screwcap is then reinstalled and
tightened. When the screwcap is fully tightened. the cartridge will have been
pushed by the positioning guide
(11) into the connecting pin fn, which will break the foil seal on the
cartridge's neck. allowing the pt~essurized
gas to enter the aas transport tube (6S), thereby rendering the gas actuator
ready for use.
A bottle injection and sealing apparatus of the type shown in Fig. 2 is
installed into the bottle (27)
with or without one or more extension tubes as needed. As a general rule, best
results are obtained by having
the user assure that the gas lead tube (29) is submerged so that the injector
tip (32) is approximately 1-3 cm
from the bottom of the bottle. Should this not be the case, one should attach
an extension tube (52) of the
type of Fig. 3 to the primary gas injection tip (3.~.) so that the extension
tube sas injector rip (34) is 1-3 cm
from the bottom of the bottle: The device will still work even if the
injection tube is further from the bottom
of the bottle than the recommended distance: The distance is recommended to
maximize displacement of any air
that is dissolve in the wine or other liquid.
After the bottle injection and sealing apparatus has been properly sized. it
should be inserted into the
bottle (27). This is easily done by dipping the handgrip (21} and twisting the
handgrip while pushing down.
This will position and lower the tapered bottle corking interface (24) into
the neck of the bottle. When
substantial resistance to both downward and lateral motion is met. this will
indicate that the tapered bottle
corking interface (24) is securely fitted within the neck of the bottle. The
injector sealing valve (22) is then
opened and the bottle injection and sealing apparatus is ready for attachment
to the gas actuator assembly.
The gas actuator assembly of Fib I is attached to the bottle injection and
sealing apparatus of Fig.
2. simultaneously aligning the actuator gas source componem connector (1~
above the bottle injector gas lead
tube (20) and the actuator air exhaust component connector (17] above the
bottle injector exhaust tube (19)
and then by pushing down on the actuator assembly. The bottle injector exhaust
rube (19) slides snugly inside
the air exhaust component connector (1~ and the bottle injector gas lead tube
(20) slides snugly inside the gas
source component connector (1~. The actuator is now attached and the internal
system completely sealed.
The button (~ on the gas actuator is actuated for 5-10 seconds formost
applications, which will open
the sealed system. allowing the compressed gas to enterthe bottle and the
displaced air within the bottle to
exhaust. After the 5-10 second interval. the button (~ is reieased.which
reseals the~newly-airfree system.
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The next step is to close the valve (Z2) on the bottle injector apparams_ This
seals the bottle system
should one choose to remove the actuator. While the actuator is connected. the
valves (I2) and (I3) sezve to
seal the system.
Once the valve (22) on the boule injector is ciosed_ it is safe to remove the
gas actuator, by pulling
upward on the actuator with one hand. while holding the gas injector steady at
its handaip (21) with the other
hand. The gas injector will be Iefr in the bottle. acting as a seaI_ To open a
resealed bottle the injector is
pulled out of the bottle using the handgrip (21).
Example 2
The procedure for the carbonation or recarbonation of a liquid in a bottle is
essentially the same as that
for the preservation of a bottle of wine or other perishable liquids described
above in Example 1. with the sole
exception that a cartridge (9) of compressed carbon-dioxide gas must be used
instead of a caraidge (9) of inert or
unreacuve sas.
Example 3
The procedure forcarbonating an open container of a liquid requires that the
actuator assembly contain a
cartridge (9) of compressed carbon dioxide gas. An extension tube of the type
shown in F'ig. 3 is connected to
the gas source component connector (I6) of the actuator assembly of Fig.l. in
the method described earlier.
The extension tube gas injector tip (34) is inserted into the beverage or
other liquid and the system
thereby resembles that depicted in Fig. 6.
The actuator button (5~ is depressed for Z-~ seconds formost applications.
while stirring the beverage
with the immersed extension tube. The carbon-dioxide gas vi~orousiy bubbles
out of the extension tube gas
injector tin (34). After 2-~ seconds. the button (51 is released and the
assembly removed from the liquid_
Example 4
The preservation of food or other perishables in a container is conducted in
the folIowin~ manner. The
food or other perishable items (43) are placed into the body of the container
(42) and the lid attached thereto.
The actuator is provided with an inert or unreactive =as source cartridge (9),
as described in Example I.
The actuator is attached to the exhaust and inlet tubes in the same manner as
described in Example I. As an
example. for a container of the type shown in Fig. 7. where the valve assembly
is on the lid (38). the actuator
should be positioned over the valve assembly so that the gas source component
connector(1~ of the actuator
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is positioned over the specialized lid gas injection tube (41) and the air
exhaust component connector (I7) is
positioned over the specialized lid exhaust tube (40). For a container of the
type of Fig. 8. where the valve
assembly is on the container (42), the actuator is aligned with the valve
assembly so that the actuator s gas
source component connector (I~ is positioned adjacent to the valued container
gas injection tube (4~ and the
air exhaust component connector (1~ is positioned adjacent to the valued
container air exhaust tube (4'n. By
applying pressure on the aciuaior toward tubes (4(18c4I) for a container of
the type of Fig. 7 or toward tubes
(46&4~ for a container of the type of Fig. 8. the tubes on the container or
container lid will snugly fit into
the component connectors (I6 &.1~_
The next step is to open the specialized lid sealing valve (39) on a container
of the type shown in
Fig. 7 or the specialized container sealing valve (4S~ for a container of the
type shown in Fig. 8.
The button (S7 on the actuator is dept~essed for ~-I O seconds. This causes
the airin the container to be
replaced with inert or unreactive gas. similar to the process used in the
preservation of wine. After 5-IO
seconds. the button (5) is released to close the sealing valve (39 or45) and
remove the actuator. The
container is now sealed and may be stored safely.
Example 5
The preservation of food or other perishables in an original container using a
specialized lid is
conducted in the following manner. The lid (38) is fit onto the mouth of the
original container. Once the lid
is securely fastened onto the original container. the actuator, provided with
an inert or unreactive source
cartridge (9) in the manner described in Example I. is attached to the
specialized lid gas injection tube (41) and
the specialized lid exhaust tube (40). Specifically. the actuator is
positioned over the valve assembly so that
the gas source component connector (1~ is positioned over the specialized lid
gas injection tube (4i) and the
air exhaust component connector (1~ is positioned over the specialized lid
exhaust tube (40). By applying
pressure on the actuator toward tubes (40&41), the tubes on the container lid
will snugly fit into the
component connectors (16 & 1~. The specialized lid sealing waive (39) is then
opened.
The button (' on the actuator is depressed for 5-10 seconds. This causes the
air in the.container to be
replaced with inert or unreactive gas, similar to the process used in the
preservation of wine. After 5-10
seconds. the button (57 is released to close the sealing valve (39) and remove
the actuator. The container is
now sealed and may be stored safely.
Example 6-
The preservation of food or other perishables in a container of the type
illustrated in Figs. 11 or IZ
is conducted in the following manner. A c~ridge (9) of um~ive or inert gas is
installed into the housing
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(60) in a manner similar to that described in Example I_ The food or other
perishable items (43) are placed
into the body of the container (42) and the lid aaached tfiereto_ The- sealing
valve (39 or 4f) is opened for 5-
seconds. This permits the source gas to flood the interior of the container
and the air to be expelled. After ~-
I O seconds, the sealing valve (39 or 4Sy is closed and the container is now
sealed and may be stored safely-
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Example T
The preservation of wine or other perishable fluids in abottle using a bottle
injection apparatus of the
typo illustrated in Fig_ I3 is conducted in the following maaner_ A cartridge
(9) of unreactive or inert gas is
installed into the housing (21) in a manner similar to that described with
regard to the actuator in Example 1.
The injector is then sized to the bottle height with extension tubes (~21 and
inserted into the bottle in the
manner described in Example I. The sealing valve (22) is opeaed for 5-?0
seconds. This permits the source
gas to flood the interior of the bottle and the air to be expelled. After 5-10
seconds. the sealing valve (Z?.) is
closed and the bottle is now sealed and may be stored safely.
The procedure for using a bottle injection apparatus of the type illustrated
in Fig. 13 for carbonation
or recarbonation of bottled liquids is identical except that cartricLe (9) of
unreactive or inert gas must be replaced
with- a cartridge (9) of carbon dioxide gas-
Example 8
The procedure for using a gas actuator of the type illustrated in Fig. I0 is
essentially the same as that
described in Example I. The two embodiments differ mainly in that the actuator
of Fig. I0 allows two gas
cartridges (9) to be housed simultaneously, whereas the actuator of Fig. I
described in Example 1 allows one
cartridge (9). A cartridge is installed into any one or both tubes of the
handgrip, in the same manner as that
described in Example I. Prior to actuation of the button (~, the operator must
switch the selection switch
(58) thereby selecting the gas source that is to be used for the given
application. All other steps in the use of
the actuator of Fig. 10 are identical to that of the actuator of Fig. 1_ The
principal advantage of the dual
cartridge configuration is that it does not require the operator to remove
(and often waste) a cartridge in switching
from an inert gas to carbon dioxide gas and vice-versa. It also provides for a
doubling of the actuatoi s gas
source capacity. should the operator use two cartridges of one type of gas.
The present invention provides a highly useful, inexpensive and portable means
of resolving numerous
problems encountered by today's consumers in the area of foodand liquid
preservation. Obvious modifications
to the present invention would be apparent to those with ordinary skill in
this art and are included within the
spirit and the scope of the invention claimed_
For example, the actuator and its accessories may have a plurality of
injection passages or exhaust
passages. There may also be provided a plurality of valves used to open and
close the passages. Similarly, the
tubing need not be made of stainless steel or plastic. but may be made of
other metals or organic materials.
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The actuator may also hold several types of gas sources at once. thereby
eliminating the need to
remove: cartridges when switching from an application that uses one type of
gas to an application that uses
another type of gas. Fib IO illustrates one preferred embodiment of this
concept. The actuator may have a
variety of shapes and the button (S) may be replaced by a twist valve_
Similarly. the control-valves (~?, 39,
4~ need not be twist activated. but may be activated by a button or similar
mechanism. 'fFte connection tubes
(IS 8c I8) may be flexible instead of rigid. Ftuthermore, the valves
controlling the exhaust passages
(13&22) may be replaced by one or more one-way valves, either in passage (19)
or in passage (18) that
release a= pressures suitably above one atmosphere of pressure. allowing air
to be exhausted only during
injection. A similar substitution may be made for valve (39). Such valuing may
also replace the lock-type
valuing (~?) controlling the injection tubes on the gas injector shown in Fig:
2. such that said valve only
releases at pressures suitably above one atmosphere of pressure. allowing gas
to be injected only during
deliberate injection.
It is not necessary that the bottle injector orfood container require a
separate sas actuator. A has source
(9), especially of the form of a cartridge. may easily be installed directly
into the cop of the injection valve of
the bottle injector of Fig.?. with attachment means similar to those found in
the actuator. namely (6A. 6B.
7, I0, II). Examples of this concept are shown in Figures II, I=. and I3. This
concept may be
extended in a similar manner to other attachments.
Other attachments to the actuator include but are not Limited to an attachment
for the inflation of party
balloons (should one use helium as the gas source), an attachment for the
inflation of bicycle tires. a brush _'
attachment allowing the forced gas to be used to dust camera lenses or
eyeglasses. or an attachment for the
whipping of cream. It is also possible for injection and exhaust means similar
to those shown in Figs.
?,8,9, to be included on original containers by the manufacturers of foods.
cosmetics. or other perishables.
with the intention that a consumer attach a gas actuator similar to that of
Fig. I for air displacement. in order
to extend products' shelf lives. Finally. the present device can be
constructed as a tabletop model.
