TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of this document relate generally to wine decanting methods and apparatus, and more specifically to a wine decanting pedestal configured to support a wine decanter and cause a swirling motion of wine within the decanter through automated movement of the decanter base through a variable force applied to the base responsive to a detected weight of the wine decanter.

BACKGROUND

Wine tasters say it is customary to smell your drink prior to the first sip as part of the tasting experience. Swirling the wine in the glass prior to tasting draws oxygen from the air into the wine and enhances not only the bouquet, but also the taste of the wine. By exposing more of the wine to oxygen, it begins to break down, which is often referred to as “opening up.” As the wine opens, it releases up to hundreds of different aroma compounds found in wine, and also softens, enhancing the flavor. In enhancing the smell, for example, a powerful California Cabernet may have blackberry, cedar and vanilla aroma compounds that are released all at the same time. The aroma compounds are small and carry with the evaporating alcohol to the observer's nose. A large part of wine enjoyment is the scents given off by the wine.

In a 2011 study done at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale Lausanne (entry number V057 titled “Oenodynamic”: Hydrodynamic of Wine Swirling), Reclari et al. (stored in the Cornell University Library arXiv:1110.3369 [physics.flu-dyn]) defined the wave motion of wine swirling using this equation:

ds = ds/DHo = Ho/DFr2= w2ds/g

Where g is gravitational force, D is the height of the swirl wave, Ho is the depth of the wine, and w is the frequency of the rotations. For the study, Reclari et al. tested the free surface area of a swirling liquid to maximize the free surface area of the liquid. In one example, D=0.144 m, ds=0.0125 m, Ho=0.075 m and w=12 ORPM. In another example, D=0.287 m, Ds=0.05 m, Ho=0.15 m and w=8 ORPM. In still another example, D=0.287 m, ds=0.05 m, Ho=0.06 m and w=55 RPM. In still yet another example, D=0.287 m, ds=0.05 m, Ho=0.04 m and w=5 ORPM. In another test, D=0.074 m, ds=0.05 m, Ho=0.015 m and w=169 RPM. In yet another test, D=0.287 m, ds=0.0125 m, Ho=0.2 m and w=14 ORPM. In all ds=0.1736, Ho=0.52 and Fr=0.597 for the liquid tested to give optimal aeration. ds, Ho and Fr define the wave shape and ensure the similarity of the free surface.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a wine decanter pedestal system may comprise a wine decanter pedestal having a housing comprising a base configured to be supported by at least one foot above a surface upon which the wine decanter pedestal is placed, the base having a base center axis and a ledge surrounding a top surface and extending outward from the top surface, the ledge configured to support a bottom surface of a decanter placed on the top surface, a wireless receiver operatively coupled with the control input, the wireless receiver configured to receive wireless commands from a wireless device, a rotary motor positioned below the base and having a rotary drive parallel to the base center axis, the rotary motor configured to output a torque through the rotary drive, the rotary drive operably coupled to the base at an attachment point off-center from the base center axis such that rotation of the rotary motor causes the base center axis to orbit about the rotary drive in a circular orbital motion, a weight sensor operably coupled to the base and configured to measure a weight of a decanter when placed upon the base, and a controller enclosed within the wine decanter pedestal, the controller operably coupled to the wireless receiver, the rotary motor and the weight sensor, the controller configured to automatically adjust the torque of the rotary drive in response to the weight measured by the weight sensor to increase torque for heavier weights measured and decrease torque for lighter weights measured.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. A footprint area of the decanter may be greater than a footprint area of the wine decanter pedestal. The footprint area of the decanter may be greater than twice the footprint area of the wine decanter pedestal. The rotary drive may be rotationally coupled to the base and configured to transfer rotational motion of the rotary drive to the base such that rotation of the rotary motor causes the base to experience circular spin motion in addition to the circular orbital motion. At least one of a chilling element and a heating element incorporated into the base. The top surface may comprise a raised feature configured to mate with a cavity within the bottom surface of the decanter. A top surface of the base may comprise a rounded cone shape. A majority of the base may be configured to fit within a cavity in a lower surface of the decanter.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a wine decanter pedestal system may comprise a wine decanter pedestal having a housing comprising a base configured to be supported by at least one foot above a surface upon which the wine decanter pedestal is placed, the base having a base center axis and a ledge surrounding a top surface and extending outward from the top surface, the ledge configured to support a bottom surface of a decanter placed on the top surface, a rotary motor positioned below the base and having a rotary drive configured to output a torque, the rotary drive operably coupled to the base at an attachment point off-center from the base center axis such that rotation of the rotary motor causes the base to turn in circular spin motion and the base center axis to orbit about the rotary drive in a circular orbital motion, a weight sensor operably coupled to the base and configured to measure a weight of a decanter when placed upon the base, and a controller enclosed within the wine decanter pedestal, the controller configured to automatically adjust the torque of the rotary drive in response to the weight measured by the weight sensor to increase torque for heavier weights measured and decrease torque for lighter weights measured.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. A footprint area of the decanter may be greater than a footprint area of the wine decanter pedestal. The footprint area of the decanter may be greater than twice the footprint area of the wine decanter pedestal. At least one of a chilling element and a heating element incorporated into the base. The top surface may comprise a raised feature configured to mate with a cavity within the bottom surface of the decanter. A top surface of the base comprises a rounded cone shape. A majority of the base may be configured to fit within a cavity in a lower surface of the decanter.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a wine decanter pedestal system may comprise a wine decanter pedestal having a housing comprising a base configured to be supported by at least one foot above a surface upon which the wine decanter pedestal is placed, the base having a base center axis, and a rotary motor positioned below the base and having a rotary drive configured to output a torque, the rotary drive operably coupled to the base at an attachment point off-center from the base center axis such that rotation of the rotary motor causes the base to turn in circular spin motion and the base center axis to orbit about the rotary drive in a circular orbital motion.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. A weight sensor may be operably coupled to the base and configured to measure a weight of a decanter when placed upon the base. A controller within the housing, the controller configured to automatically adjust the torque of the rotary drive in response to the weight measured by the weight sensor to increase torque for heavier weights measured and decrease torque for lighter weights measured. A ledge surrounding a top surface and extending outward from the top surface, the ledge configured to support a bottom surface of a decanter placed on the top surface. A switch operably coupled to the base and configured to stop rotational movement of the motor in response to a decanter being removed from the base and start rotational movement of the motor in response to a decanter being placed on the base.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, applications, and advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the specification, drawings, and the claims. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that he can be his own lexicographer if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.

The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.

Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for”, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of [insert function]”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . . ” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are invoked to define the claimed aspects, it is intended that these aspects not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the disclosure, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the specification, drawings, and the claims.

