Abstract:
An improved wine bottle closure and vacuum pump apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus provides an improved bulb structure to be used for pumping and storage purposes, the bulb remaining with a closure plug even after pumping is completed and the wine is to be stored for later consumption. The bulb structure can be collapsed in two different positions including a first position that maintains overall height of the bulb structure and a second position that enables the bulb structure to be shortened in height as an optional feature. The bulb structure provides an enlarged central section that is much larger in diameter than the lower end portion. The lower end portion provides a closure plug for fitting the opening of a wine bottle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/842,375, filed May 10, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable  
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003]     Not applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates to wine bottle closure devices and more particularly wine bottle closure devices that employ a vacuum to remove air from the interior of the wine bottle, preserving the integrity of the wine. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a wine bottle closure apparatus of improved configuration that employs a hollow bulb structure having an enlarged diameter center section, opposed upper and lower smaller diameter sections, each of the smaller sections carrying a check valve, the lower end portion having a bottle closure plug sized and shaped to form a seal with the bottle opening of a wine bottle, and wherein the bulb structure is optionally collapsible into two different collapsed positions including a first collapsed position that maintains the overall height of the bulb structure and a second position that shortens the height of the bulb so that the combination of wine bottle and bulb are more easily stored in between the shelves of a refrigerator.  
         [0006]     2. General Background of the Invention  
         [0007]     Many devices have been patented that relate generally to the concept of pumping air from the inside of a wine bottle after it has been partially consumed. These patents discuss the use of pumps to remove air from the interior of the wine bottle and thus maintain a freshness and integrity of the wine. Examples of these patents can be seen in the following table:  
                       TABLE 1                       U.S.               PAT.       ISSUE       NO.   TITLE   DATE                   1,788,795   Valve Controlled For Bottles   Jan. 13, 1931           Containing Carbonated Beverages       3,129,835   Food Preservation   Apr. 21, 1964       3,557,986   Pressurizing Closure Device   Jan. 26, 1971       3,602,387   Pump and closure Assembly   Aug. 31, 1971       4,482,072   Pressurizing Apparatus For   Nov. 13, 1984           Partially Filled Containers       4,684,033   Device For Retarding Oxidation of   Aug. 04, 1987           Partly Consumed Bottle of Wine       4,763,803   Stopper For a Container Such as a   Aug. 16, 1988           Bottle, and a Pump Connectable Thereto           For Extraction of Gaseous Medium From           or Pumping in Thereof into the Container       4,889,250   Vacuum Pump and Enclosure Assembly   Dec. 26, 1989           For Beverage Container       5,031,785   Combination Vacuum/Pressure Pump   Jul. 16, 1991           and Valve Stopper for Food or           Drink Containers       5,957,317   Evacuation Actuating Closure for   Sep. 28, 1999           a Container                  
 
         [0008]     The Hoban U.S. Pat. No. 1,788,795 entitled “Valve Control Closure for Bottles Containing Carbonated Beverage” is designed to maintain the carbonation of a drink product contained in a bottle by preventing it from becoming “flat”.  
         [0009]     In the Collens U.S. Pat. No. 3,129,835, there is said to be value in protecting foods from bacterial deterioration using vacuum. The device disclosed in the &#39;835 patent is said to have particular utility in the protection of coffee and numerous other items of food under vacuum. The Collens device discloses a wide mouth jar having a closure cap that employs valves. A hemispherically shaped flexible member or domed shaped member of rubber is used to squeeze air from the container.  
         [0010]     The Poole U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,986 discloses a pressurizing closing device.  
         [0011]     The Patnaude U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,387 discloses a pump and closure assembly that employs a bellows  20  said to be molded from a flexible plastic material. The bellows connects to a closure assembly that includes a single one way valve. An exhaust valve is provided at the top of the bellows. When the bellows is compressed, air is evacuated from the bellows. A coil spring is contained inside the bellows. The spring urges the bellows to an extended position so that as it expands. The device pumps air from the interior of a bottle to which it is attached.  
         [0012]     The Hankins U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,072 discloses a pressurizing apparatus for partially filled containers.  
         [0013]     The Marcus U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,033 discloses a device for retarding oxidation of a partially consumed bottle of wine. It employs a bulb and flexible flow line to pump air from the inside of the bottle.  
         [0014]     The Schneider U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,803 discloses a stopper for a container (such as a bottle) and a pump connectable thereto for extraction of gaseous medium from or pumping into thereof into the container. The stopper and pump are separate structures that are connected together only when pumping is to occur. The stopper remains in the bottle as a closure device.  
         [0015]     The Beyer U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,250 discloses a vacuum pump and enclosure assembly for a beverage container.  
         [0016]     A combination vacuum/pressure pump and valve stopper for food or drink containers is disclosed in the Lemme U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,785.  
         [0017]     The Lee U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,317 discloses an evacuation actuating closure for a container.  
         [0018]     Some of these patents are designed to work only with wide mouth containers. Others of these devices employ complicated pumping devices that would be expensive to manufacture and prone to damage or leakage. For example, the Patnaude U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,387 employs a bellows with an internal spring. The spring would be an expensive part to install inside of a bellows. Further, the bellows provides a number of sharp corners and seams that would be prone to fatigue, cracking and eventually leakage.  
         [0019]     The Hankins U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,072 discloses a complicated pump arrangement that would be expensive to manufacture. It would occupy a huge amount of space if remained in position upon the bottle after installation. Likewise, the Marcus, &#39;033 patent discloses a complicated pumping arrangement that would occupy an excessive amount of space if it were left attached to the bottle.  
         [0020]     The Schneider U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,803 requires a separate pump and separate stopper arrangement that would require one or the other to be located every time the device is to be used. A similar device that employs separate pump and stopper is sold under the mark “Vacuvin”.  
         [0021]     It is known that oxygen has a deleting effect on the quality of wine over a period of time. The chemistry of wine is very complex and the constituents can be in the hundreds. Many appear as trace elements and can be directly oxidized from prolonged exposure to oxygen.  
         [0022]     Oxygen can also affect the visual appearance of wine, creating a clouding of the wine from oxidized coloring matter within the wine. In addition to the negative deteriorative effects of oxygen on both the flavor and the coloring of the wine, oxygen changes some flavor components into acetic acid.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     The present invention solves prior art problems and shortcomings by providing a simple and convenient air/oxygen removal system for bottled wines that employs a squeeze type hand pump that fits the open mouth of a wine bottle and remains with the wine bottle once air and oxygen have been evacuated.  
         [0024]     The improved pump arrangement of the present invention expels any air from within the wine bottle that could contribute to the source of flavor or essence deterioration of wine that remains within the bottle after it has been opened. The present invention provides an improved wine bottle closure apparatus that evacuates air from a wine bottle that has a neck with a bottle opening that communicates with a bottle interior.  
         [0025]     The present invention employs an improved wine bottle closure device with a specially configured hollow bulb structure that has a bulb interior, an enlarged diameter center section, opposed upper and lower smaller diameter sections, and tapered transitions sections that extend from each of the upper and lower smaller diameter sections to the lower diameter section.  
         [0026]     The bulb structure has an inflated position with a height. During use, the bulb can optionally be collapsed to one of two different collapsed positions. These positions can include at least one collapsed position that shortens the height of the bulb structure, thus providing a better storage configuration for the combination of wine bottle closure device and wine bottle after air has been pumped from the bottle using the bulb structure. With the present invention, it is not necessary to separate the vacuum pump and plug or stopper. The apparatus can be collapsed and shortened so that very little space is occupied by it (see  FIGS. 5 and 7 ). It can then remain with the wine bottle until the contents are consumed at a later date.  
         [0027]     The bulb structure includes a closure plug or stopper at its lower end portion that is sized and shaped to form a seal with a wine bottle opening. A bottle closure plug attaches to the lower section of the bulb and it has an open ended air flow channel that communicates with the bulb interior so that air can travel from the interior of the wine bottle to the interior of the bulb during pumping. The channel provides upper and lower openings at respective end portions of the channel.  
         [0028]     A first check valve is mounted to an assembly of the bulb structure enclosure plug at a position that is next to the bulb structure lower section. The first check valve enables air flow in an upward direction from the plug air passage to the plug interior and disallowing substantial air flow in a downward direction from the bulb interior to the plug lower opening.  
         [0029]     The second check valve is mounted to the bulb structure at a position next to the upper smaller diameter section. Either of the check valves can be of a type that can be opened to vent the bulb interior when not pumping. Alternatively, a relief valve can be optionally mounted on the bulb wall  17  for releasing any vacuum.  
         [0030]     A bulb flow outlet is carried by the upper smaller diameter section and enables air to flow from the bulb interior through the second check valve to the atmosphere.  
         [0031]     The bulb structure is preferably a resilient structure having a memory that urges the bulb wall to return to an expanded position. When the bulb is squeezed, air is thus evacuated from the bulb interior via the bulb flow outlet. The bulb has a collapsed position that subjects the bulb interior to a vacuum or sub-atmospheric pressure as the wall attempts to return to the expanded position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a sectional elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention shown attached to a common wine bottle;  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a partial sectional elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the bulb in an inflated, expanded position and in a collapsed position (phantom lines) both of which maintain a maximum overall height for the bulb structure;  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a sectional elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating pumping to remove air from a wine bottle;  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the bulb structure in a collapsed position that shortens the bulb structure;  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a fragmentary sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the closure cap that fits the upper end portion of the bulb structure;  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a perspective side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the bulb structure in a collapsed position that shortens the bulb structure;  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a partial sectional elevation view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, shown in a folded, storage position;  
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is a partial sectional elevation view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, shown in a folded, storage position;  
         [0044]      FIG. 12  is a partial sectional elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 13  is a partial sectional elevation view of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and  
         [0046]      FIG. 14  is a partial sectional elevation view of a sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0047]     Wine bottle closure apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  in detail and in  FIGS. 2-6  when attached to a conventional wine bottle  11  having a lower section  12  that contains liquid contents, i.e. wine  34 . Bottle  11  provides an interior  45  that normally contains air above liquid when the liquid  34  has been partially consumed. Bottle  11  provides a neck  13  and can have an enlarged diameter section  14  providing an opening  15  through which the contents can be dispensed.  
         [0048]     Wine bottle closure apparatus  10  includes a bulb structure  16  having wall  17  and an interior  18 . The bulb structure  16  has a larger diameter center section  19 , a smaller diameter upper section  20  and a smaller diameter lower section  21 .  
         [0049]     Lower end portion  21  connects with apertured closure plug  22  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 ,  4  and  5 . Plug  22  has air flow passageway  23  that enables air to be pumped from interior  45  of bottle  11  to interior  18  of bulb structure  16 .  
         [0050]     Plug  22  can be provided with one or more annular sealing rings  24  that help form a seal between plug  22  and bottle  11  at enlarge diameter section  14  of neck  13 . Plug  22  and bulb  16  can be an integral structure of rubber or polymeric material (e.g. polyurethane).  
         [0051]     A pair of check valves  25 ,  26  are provided with bulb structure  16  including a lower check valve  25  and an upper check valve  26 . In  FIGS. 1, 3  and  4 , lower check valve  25  provides a perforated check valve body  27  that can be an integral part of bulb structure  16 . Valving member  28  can be a disk member that forms a closure over air flow perforations or outlets  29  in valve body  27 . Similarly, upper check valve  26  provides a perforated valve body  27  having flow passage  30  that communicates with air flow outlet  29  at the uppermost end portion of bulb structure  16 . Each check valve  25 ,  26  can be a valve that can be opened to allow air to vent bulb interior  18 , such as when the device  10  is separated from bottle  11  after use.  
         [0052]     In order to pump air from bottle interior  45 , a user employs finger  32  and thumb  33  to collapse bulb structure  16  by pressing the finger  32  and thumb  33  together in the direction of arrows  31  in  FIG. 3 . When the bulb structure  16  is collapsed to the position shown in  FIG. 3  in phantom lines, a vacuum is formed in bulb interior  18  because the wall  17  has a memory and is biased to return to its original position of  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4  (in hard lines in  FIG. 3 ). The bulb wall  17  can be of rubber, polyurethane or other suitable polymeric material. Such bulb wall material is commonly employed, for example, in the bulb type pumps associated with common, commercially available blood pressure measuring devices.  
         [0053]     As the bulb wall  17  attempts to return to its original position of  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , as illustrated by arrows  38  in  FIG. 4 , air travels in the direction of arrows  35 ,  36  through passage  23  of plug  22  and into bulb interior  18 . Air entering into bulb  18  is schematically illustrated by arrows  37 .  
         [0054]     While the collapsed wall position during pumping is shown by the numeral  41  in  FIG. 3 , a second collapsed position of bulb structure  16  is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7  and indicated by the numeral  42 . The collapsed storage position  42  shortens the overall height of bulb structure  16  as schematically illustrated by arrows  40  in  FIG. 5  when compared to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4 .  
         [0055]     A cap  43  having a cap interior  44  can be placed over smaller diameter upper end portion  20  as shown in  FIG. 6  to prevent any leakage over a period of time such as when the wine bottle closure apparatus  10  and bottle  11  are stored in a refrigerator below shelf  46  as seen in  FIG. 7 . The shortened collapsed storage position  42  enables the combination of bottle  11  and wine bottle closure apparatus  10  to be stored in between two more closely spaced apart refrigerator shelves  46 .  
         [0056]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show an additional embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  50 . Wine bottle closure apparatus  50  provides a cylindrically shaped hollow bulb structure  51  having wall  52  and interior  53 . A cylindrically shaped section  54  surrounds a hollow interior  53 . The bulb structure  51  has an upper section  55  and a lower section  56 . The lower section  56  includes an aperatured closure plug  57  having a central air flow passageway  58 . One or more annular rings  59  can be provided on the outer surface of closure plug  57 , forming a seal in between bottle  11  and aperatured closure plug  57 .  
         [0057]     Bulb structure  51  provides an upper check valve  61  and a lower check valve  60 . Annular shoulder  62  rests upon the top of bottle  11  as shown in  FIG. 8  and indexes the aperatured closure plug  57  to its full seated position within bottle  11  as shown in  FIG. 8 . To insert the apparatus  50  into a wine bottle  11 , a user pushes the bulb structure  51 , forcing the closure plug  57  into the bottle opening  15 . The user knows that the closure plug  57  is in its proper position when annular shoulder  62  rests upon the top of bottle  11 . In order to pump air from the interior of bottle  11 , a user pumps bulb structure  51  at cylindrically shaped section  54 . Air in interior  53  is evacuated through upper check valve  61 . Lower check valve  60  simultaneously closes. When the user releases bulb structure  51 , it is resilient and returns to its original uncompressed shape ( FIG. 8 ) creating a vacuum in interior  53  which closes upper check valve  61  and opens valve  60 . The interior of bottle  11  is thus subjected to the same vacuum of interior  53  resulting in air flow from the bottle interior through the lower check valve  60  to bulb interior  53 . Repeated (e.g. 10-20) pumps (compressing) of bulb structure  51  removes additional air from bottle  11 . The following embodiments of  FIGS. 10-14  pump air from the interior of bottle  11  through similar use of a pair of one way check valves.  
         [0058]      FIG. 9  illustrates a folded, storage position  63  for bulb structure  51 . When in the folded, storage position  63 , a c-shaped ring  64  can be used to secure the upper section  55  of bulb structure  51  to the neck  13  of bottle  11  as shown in  FIG. 9 . C-shaped ring  64  can be a separate member or can be integrally formed with or attached to bulb structure  51 . Ring  64  provides a slot  65  that is receptive of bottle neck  13  or the enlarged diameter section  14  of bottle  11  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Arrow  67  in  FIG. 9  schematically illustrates the addition of ring  64  to the combination of bulb structure  51  and bottle  11 . Arrow  66  illustrates the folding of closure plug  51  from the upright position of  FIG. 8  to the folded position of  FIG. 9 . When so folded ( FIG. 9 ) the overall height of bottle  11  and bottle  57  is reduced.  
         [0059]     Another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , designated by the numeral  68 . Wine bottle closure apparatus  68  has an upper section  69  and a lower section  70 . A cylindrically shaped bulb section  71  is provided for pumping the apparatus  68 . As with the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a user squeezes the cylindrical section  71  in order to evacuate air contained in bottle  11 . An aperatured closure plug  72  having air flow passageway  73  fits bottle  11  at opening  15 . One or more annular rings  74  on aperatured closure plug  72  can be used to enhance a seal between closure plug  72  and bottle  11 . Cylindrically shaped bulb section  71  includes an upper check valve  76  and a lower check valve  75 . Annular shoulder  77  is used to index closure plugs  72  with respect to bottle  11 . When annular shoulder  77  contacts the top of bottle  11 , the closure plug  72  is in its proper position.  
         [0060]     The check valves  75 ,  76  only allow air flow from the bottle  11  through the bulb section  71  to perforated disk  78  and air flow outlet  79 . When a user squeezes the bulb section  71 , upper check valve  76  opens and lower check valve  75  closes so that air contained within the bulb section  71  is pumped outwardly through air flow outlet  79 . When a user releases the bulb section  71 , it has a memory that returns it to its original position and suctions air from the interior of bottle  11  through air flow passageway  73  and into bulb  71  interior.  
         [0061]     C-shaped ring  80  is attached to perforated disk  78  as shown in  FIG. 10 . C-shaped ring  80  provides a slot  81  that enables the ring  80  to be attached to the neck  13  of bottle  11  as shown in  FIG. 11 . A folded, storage position  82  is thus shown in  FIG. 11 . Arrow  83  schematically illustrates a folding of cylindrically shaped bulb section  71  from its upright position of  FIG. 10  to the folded position of  FIG. 11 .  
         [0062]      FIG. 12  shows another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated by the numeral  84 . Wine bottle closure apparatus  84  provides a cylindrical body  85  having upper end portion  86  and lower end portion  87 . Pump shaft  88  extends generally vertically through cylindrical body  85 . Pump shaft  88  is fitted with an opening in upper button  89 . Pump shaft  88  has a lower end fitted with piston  91  opposite button  89  as shown. The piston  91  travels in pump chamber  90  between an upper and a lower position. Return spring  92  biases the pump piston  91  to the upper position as shown in  FIG. 12 . Air is evacuated from the interior of bottle  11  when a user pumps the apparatus  84  by pushing down on button  89 . When a user pushes down on button  89 , valve  94  closes and valve  93  opens. These check valves  93 ,  94  thus only allow air to travel in one direction from the bottle  11  interior through ports  96 , valve  94 , channel  97  and then through check valve  93  to discharge outlet  98 . The check valve  94  is mounted in chamber  95 . The check valve  93  is mounted in chamber  99 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  100 . Wine bottle closure apparatus  100  provides a closure plug  104  that is expanded to engage bottle  11 , being operated with a cam locking member  101 . The cam locking member  101  provides a cam lever  102  which when rotated in the direction of arrow  103  to thus expand the closure plug  104 . Shaft  116  extends through the plug  104 . A plate  117  is attached to the lower end of the shaft just below plug  104 . Cam lever  102  pulls shaft  102  upwardly, compressing and expanding plug  104  in between plate  117  and a plate  118  under lever  102 . One way check valves are provided at positions  107 ,  108 , connected by a passageway that communicates with the interior of the bottle  11 . The passageway could be a metal sleeve or pipe so that it does not collapse when cam lever  102  is rotated to the locking position (see arrow  103  ). A bulb  106  can be squeezed against bottleneck  13  as illustrated schematically by arrow  106  in  FIG. 13 . Thus, the user would grasp the combination of bulb  105  and bottleneck  13  during pumping operation. As with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-12 , the two check valves are so configured and so positioned to evacuate air from bottle  11  when repeated pumping of bulb  15  occurs. Arrows  109  in  FIG. 13  schematically illustrate the flow path of air from bottle  11  interior to the check valve at position  108 , this discharge of air being schematically illustrated by arrow  109 .  
         [0064]     Another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 14 . Wine bottle closure apparatus  110  in  FIG. 14  includes a closure plug  111 . A bulb  112  can be used to pump air from bottle  11  interior, the combination of bulb  112  and closure plug  111  being provided with check valves at positions  113 ,  114 . The direction of flow of air from bottle  11  interior to the exterior of bulb  112  is schematically illustrated by arrows  115 .  
         [0065]     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:  
                                                   PARTS LIST:            Part Number   Description                    10   wine bottle closure apparatus       11   bottle       12   lower section       13   neck       14   enlarged diameter section       15   opening       16   bulb structure       17   wall       18   interior       19   larger diameter center section       20   smaller diameter upper section       21   smaller diameter lower section       22   apertured closure plug       23   air flow passageway       24   annular ring       25   lower check valve       26   upper check valve       27   check valve body       28   valving member       29   air flow outlet       30   flow passage       31   arrow       32   user&#39;s finger       33   user&#39;s thumb       34   liquid       35   arrow       36   arrow       37   arrow       38   arrow       40   arrow       41   collapsed wall pumping position       42   storage position       43   cap       44   cap interior       45   bottle interior       46   shelf       50   wine bottle closure apparatus       51   bulb structure       52   wall       53   interior       54   cylindrically shaped section       55   upper section       56   lower section       57   aperatured closure plug       58   air flow passageway       59   annular ring       60   lower check valve       61   upper check valve       62   annular shoulder       63   folded, storage position       64   c-shaped ring       65   slot       66   arrow       67   arrow       68   wine bottle closure apparatus       69   upper section       70   lower section       71   cylindrically shaped bulb section       72   aperatured closure plug       73   air flow passageway       74   annular ring       75   lower check valve       76   upper check valve       77   annular shoulder       78   perforated disk       79   air flow outlet       80   c-shaped ring       81   slot       82   folded, storage position       83   arrow       84   wine bottle closure apparatus       85   cylindrical body       86   upper end portion       87   lower end portion       88   pump shaft       89   button       90   pump chamber       91   piston       92   return spring       93   check valve       94   check valve       95   chamber       96   port       97   channel       98   discharge outlet       99   chamber       100   wine bottle closure apparatus       101   cam locking member       102   lever       103   arrow       104   closure plug       105   bulb       106   arrow       107   check valve       108   check valve       109   arrow       110   wine bottle closure apparatus       111   closure plug       112   bulb       113   check valve location       114   check valve location       115   arrow       116   shaft       117   plate       118   plate                  
 
         [0066]     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.  
         [0067]     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.