Abstract: A device for the non-deleterious, passive aging of wine wherein the interior of the semi-permeable wall of the aging container, which provides the interface between the wine and the atmosphere, has a substantially larger interface area per unit volume of wine than does that of the prior art device. The device employs a polyhedron shaped aging container or vessel having a volumetric capacity of greater than 30 gallons; and, a relationship (ratio) of the interior surface area of the container to the volume of the container from 0.33 square inches to 1.0 cubic inch to 4.0 square inches to 1.0 cubic inch. In one advantageous embodiment, the container is a rectangular hexahedron. In another advantageous embodiment, the container is a trapezoidal hexahedron.

Abstract: A device for the non-deleterious, passive aging of wine wherein the interior of the semi-permeable wall of the aging container, which provides the interface between the wine and the atmosphere, has a substantially larger interface area per unit volume of wine than does that of the prior art device. The device employs a polyhedron shaped aging container or vessel having a volumetric capacity of greater than 30 gallons; and, a relationship (ratio) of the interior surface area of the container to the volume of the container from 0.33 square inches to 1.0 cubic inch to 4.0 square inches to 1.0 cubic inch. In one advantageous embodiment, the container is a rectangular hexahedron. In another advantageous embodiment, the container is a trapezoidal hexahedron.

Abstract: A system and method for the non-deleterious acceleration of aging wine or spirits is described. The system employs a device, internal or external to the aging barrel, to induce a motion of the wine or spirits to be aged in excess of that inherent in the traditional aging process. The aging of wine or spirits is non-deleteriously accelerated by artificially increasing the movement of the liquid at the interface of the liquid and a semi-permeable wine aging container by mechanical means located internal or external to the semi-permeable container. In one aspect, the device is inserted into the barrel such as an impeller to mechanically move the Wine at the boundary layer, or a circulating for pump for hydraulic agitation. In another aspect, the device is exterior the barrel or container such as an external pump or fluidizer. Advantageously, the liquid is moved in a circular motion such that the liquid scrubs the barrel surface, while admixing the liquid by eddy currents.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aging wine or spirits is described. The apparatus employs a plurality of spaced hollow semi-permeable tubes which provide an interface wall between the wine or spirits and the atmosphere whereby oxygen can infuse through the walls of the tube into the wine or spirits. In one embodiment, the wine or spirits are in contact with the outer surface of the tubes and the atmosphere with the inner surface. In another embodiment, the wine or spirits are in contact with the inner surface of the tubes and the atmosphere with the outer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aging wine or spirits is described. The apparatus employs a plurality of spaced hollow semi-permeable tubes which provide an interface wall between the wine or spirits and the atmosphere whereby oxygen can infuse through the walls of the tube into the wine or spirits. In one embodiment, the wine or spirits are in contact with the outer surface of the tubes and the atmosphere with the inner surface. In another embodiment, the wine or spirits are in contact with the inner surface of the tubes and the atmosphere with the outer surface.

Abstract: A joint for the seat side rail and rear leg or other furniture joint is disclosed. A bolt extends through a first bore forwardly through the leg and then through a second bore into the rear end of the rail. A tapped bar is inserted transversely into a pocket in the rail to receive the forward end of the bolt. The bolt is pre-stressed to put the joint under compression throughout. Preferably the bolt is bonded by adhesive to the first and second bores and the bar into its socket to form a composite of the leg, rail, bolt and bar. The joint is made superior to conventional dowelled joints by inserting in aligned bores extending into the rail and leg in opposite directions from the joint a metallic rod which is twice as long as the width of the rail and cementing the rod within the bores. The rod and/or bore may be roughened to promote adherence of the cement to the rod and wooden members.