Beverage preservation and dispensing apparatus incorporated within a refrigerator door

Abstract

A preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door includes a wine preservation and dispensing apparatus and a door of a refrigerator within which the wine preservation and dispensing apparatus is integrated. The wine preservation and dispensing apparatus includes a housing framework composed of a rigid frame secured to the refrigerator door along an opening cut into the door.

1 . A preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door, comprising:
 a wine preservation and dispensing apparatus;   a door of a refrigerator within which the wine preservation and dispensing apparatus is integrated;   wherein the wine preservation and dispensing apparatus includes a housing framework composed of a rigid frame secured to the refrigerator door along an opening cut into the door   
     
     
         2 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerator includes a storage compartment composed of a top wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a bottom wall, a back wall and an opening along a front side thereof for access to the storage compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 2 , wherein the opening is selectively covered by the door that is pivotally secured to the storage compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 1 , wherein a window is secured along a front surface of the frame in a manner positioning it directly along and in alignment with an exterior surface of the door. 
     
     
         5 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing framework further includes a support platform upon which multiple wine bottles are supported, a bottom storage compartment in which underlying working components are stored and hidden from view and an upper support plate in which dispensing assemblies are mounted. 
     
     
         6 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 5 , wherein the dispensing assemblies include dispensing nozzles. 
     
     
         7 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 5 , wherein a window is secured along a front surface of the frame in a manner positioning it directly along and in alignment with an exterior surface of the door. 
     
     
         8 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 7 , wherein the upper support plate is positioned above the window with the support platform and the bottom storage compartment connected to the upper support plate via the frame. 
     
     
         9 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 7 , wherein the upper support plate is concave as it faces away from a back surface of the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 9 , wherein the upper support plate includes an upper wall, a rear wall and a flat base wall, as well as side walls closing off sides of a cavity defined by the walls. 
     
     
         11 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 10 , wherein the flat base wall is provided with a drip pan positioned beneath dispensing ends of the dispensing assemblies. 
     
     
         12 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 5 , wherein the support platform is composed of a container or bottle support assembly including a base and a retaining member. 
     
     
         13 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 12 , wherein the base and the retaining member are shaped and dimensioned to support bottles in an upright configuration for ease of use and ready replacement of the bottles, and the retaining member is a rigid member which extends rearwardly from the frame and the support platform is readily accessible when the door is opened to allow ready replacement of bottles when desired. 
     
     
         14 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 1 , the preservation and dispensing apparatus also includes a pressurized gas supply assembly providing necessary pressure for forcing fluid from the bottles and through a dispensing assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The preservation and dispensing apparatus integrated within a refrigerator door according to  claim 14 , wherein the pressurized gas supply assembly includes an inert gas output which is linked to the various bottles via a conduit arrangement composed of flexible tubing and dispensing assemblies selectively secured to, that is, within, openings of the bottles.