Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a structure for storing and preserving perishable liquids, including a container having a central opening and a plunger, sized and shaped to fit within the central opening. The plunger having means to seal the container and the plunger being slidable thereto. The container has a bottom defining a detent extending toward the central opening. And, the plunger has a bottom end zone with a similar detent. The plunger has a central internal passageway and a cap for sealing one of the passageways. The plunger induces pressure on the liquid and the cap maintains the pressure for preserving the liquid.

Description:
PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to prior filed application, U.S. Ser. No. 11/963,706, filed Dec. 21, 2007, by the same inventive entity and under the same title as a Continuation-In-Part. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to the field of storing perishable liquids. More particularly, this invention relates to structure for storing perishable liquids, which include wine and the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As is well known, upon removing a wine cork, the shelf life of wine is extremely short. For example, upon opening a bottle of red wine, it is estimated that one should not drink it beyond 72 hours even where one is meticulous about recorking the bottle. In response, consumers have been provided with a wide variety of wine and other perishable liquid storage devices. 
         [0004]    Wine, decanters have been a popular way of serving wine at parties and during dining occasions. However, decanters are not designed to store and preserve perishable liquids and more than simply re-inserting the cork back into the original bottle. In fact, many such decanters do not even come with a top to seal the container. 
         [0005]    However, some have taken the additional step of attempting to preserve wine once it&#39;s been opened by creating a vacuum seal with a new type of cork. Unfortunately, the results of these devices have also been found lacking. Some have attempted to create a whole new decanter and use a specifically designed cork and create a vacuum seal there between. Similarly, these devices have fallen short of their intended goal. 
         [0006]    Additionally, an enemy of certain liquids, particularly, wine is oxygen. When wine is exposed to oxygen it causes oxidation and a loss of flavor. It would be advantageous if there were a storage device, which got rid of at least some of the oxygen while storing the liquid. 
         [0007]    Thus what is needed is a perishable liquid storage device which is easy to use and can store such liquids for a considerable period of time without damage. In the case of wine this is especially important so that the original flavor may be preserved as long as possible. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A structure for storing and preserving perishable liquids, including a container having a central opening and a plunger, sized and shaped to fit within the central opening. The plunger having means to seal the container and the plunger being slidable thereto. The container has a bottom defining a detent extending toward the central opening. And, the plunger has a bottom end zone with a similar detent. The plunger has a central internal passageway and a cap for sealing one of the passageways. The plunger induces pressure on the liquid and the cap maintains the pressure for preserving the liquid. 
         [0009]    It is an object of this invention to provide a structure for storing and preserving perishable liquids. 
         [0010]    It is an additional object of this invention to provide such a structure, which includes an element for providing pressure on the liquid to be preserved and the ability to maintain that pressure for preservation of the perishable liquid. 
         [0011]    The structure in accordance with this invention, comprises: 
         [0012]    a container for holding the liquid, the container having a central opening; and 
         [0013]    a plunger for inducing pressure on the liquid, while the liquid is held in the container, the plunger being sized and shaped to fit matingly within the container, the plunger having a central opening, the plunger creating at least a partial seal with the container and being slidable with respect thereto and the plunger including cap for sealing one end of the plunger. 
         [0014]    In another exemplary embodiment, the structure for a storage device in accordance with this invention comprises:
       container means for holding the liquid, the container means including means for closing the container, the container means having a central opening; and   means for inducing pressure on the liquid, while the liquid is held in the container means, the pressure inducing means being sized and shaped to fit matingly within the means for storing the liquid and having a central opening to allow liquid in the storage means to flow there through, the pressure inducing means creating at least a partial seal with the container means and being slidable with respect thereto and the pressure inducing means including cap means for sealing the pressure inducing means.       
 
         [0017]    In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom of the container and the bottom of the plunger are in a frusto-conical shape and compatibly sized and shaped. This assists in inducing pressure and preserving the liquid. This also assists with removing the liquid from the apparatus of the invention, since the liquid flows over the curved edges of the plunger. 
         [0018]    In another exemplary embodiment of the invention the apparatus includes guide means for guiding the plunger as it is moved toward the bottom of the container in the central opening. In one particular embodiment of the guide means the container includes a lid with a central opening sized and shaped for slidable guiding contact with the plunger. 
         [0019]    It will be appreciated that as the plunger is pushed toward the bottom of the container the air in the container is removed through the open top end of the plunger. Thereby, removing oxygen from the container during storage. 
         [0020]    It is an advantage of this invention to provide such a storage device, which preserves the details of the taste of wine stored therein even after being opened from in its original bottle. 
         [0021]    It is an additional advantage of this invention to allow easy removal of the liquid from the apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0022]    For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the storage apparatus in accordance with this invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a partially cut away perspective view of the storage apparatus in accordance with this invention. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 3 &amp; 4  are cross sectional plan views illustrating steps of using the storage apparatus in accordance with this invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the storage apparatus in accordance with this invention fully assembled. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a partially cut away perspective view of the storage apparatus in accordance with this invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the storage apparatus in accordance with this invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the storage apparatus in accordance with this invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    An exemplary embodiment of the storage apparatus in accordance with this invention generally denoted by the numeral  20  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . The apparatus includes a container  22  and a plunger  24 . The container  22  has central opening  26  for allowing liquid to be stored in the container. Additionally, the container  22  includes a lid  28 , which is force fit over the sides of the container  22 . 
         [0031]    Additionally, the container  22  has a bottom  30  and the bottom  30  has a detent  32 . The detent  32  projects inwardly into the container  22 ; the detent  32  projection is toward the central opening  26 . In cross section, as best seen in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , the detent  32  defines a frusto-conical shape. 
         [0032]    The lid  28  has central opening  34 . The central opening serves as a guide for guiding the plunger as it is thrust toward the bottom of the container for inducing pressure on the liquid. The central opening  34  is sized and shaped for such slidable, guiding contact and in one exemplary embodiment (not shown) includes a hard plastic ring insert around the central opening to assist with slidability. As seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , the plunger  24  fits snugly, but in sliding contact within the central opening  34 . 
         [0033]    The plunger  24  is sized and shaped to fit matingly within the container  22 . The plunger  24  is slidable with respect to the container  22  and thus capable of inducing pressure upon the liquid held in the container  22 . 
         [0034]    The plunger  24 , in an exemplary embodiment, includes a means to create a seal between the container  22  and that portion of the plunger  24  within the container  22 . In an exemplary embodiment, the plunger  24  has a groove  40  and an o-ring  42  fits within the groove  40 , as best seen in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 , the o-ring  42  seals the container  22  by providing a seal of the plunger  24  with the walls of the container  22 . Nevertheless, the plunger  24  is slidable against the walls of the container  22  even with the o-ring  42  in place. 
         [0035]    As clearly seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the plunger  24  has an elongated shape which is sized and shaped to fit compatibly within the container  22 . The plunger  24  has a central opening  50  extending from one end of the plunger  24  through to the other end defining a central passageway. The plunger  24  includes a cap  60  for sealing the top end of the plunger  24 . In an exemplary embodiment, the top of the plunger  24  has threads and the cap  60  has matching, compatible threads, which, when screwed down provides a seal for the top of the plunger  22 . As can be appreciated, once the top of the plunger  24  is sealed with the cap  60 , pressure that was induced upon the liquid is maintained throughout the container  22 . 
         [0036]    In cross section, as illustrated best in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the plunger  24  has a bottom end zone  52 . The bottom end zone  52  defines, in cross-section, a frusto-conical shape, which matches generally and is compatible with the frusto-conical shape of the detent  32 . It has been found in use that the frusto-conical shape provides an added means for maintaining pressure. Additionally, it has been found that the frusto-conical shape provides a means to assist the liquid to easily flow from the container  22 . Thus, the apparatus  20 , in accordance with the invention, provides a means for easily removing liquid stored in the container  22 . 
         [0037]    In Use 
         [0038]    In use, the user removes lid  28  and the plunger  24  from the container  22  and pours the liquid  70  to be preserved into the container  22 . Such liquid could be wine or any other liquid, which is desired to be stored. Clearly, the liquid if perishable benefits most from the apparatus  20 , in accordance with this invention. The plunger  24  is snugly fit to the container  22  with the walls of the container  22  contacting the o-ring  42 . The lid  28  is slid over the top of the plunger  24  and fit onto the walls of the container  22 . In an exemplary embodiment, the lid  28  is force fit over the edge of the walls of the container  22 , as shown clearly in the drawing. This provides a stable base from which the plunger  24  is inserted into the central opening  34  of the lid  28  for guiding the plunger  24  on its downward journey to the bottom of the container  22 . 
         [0039]    As discussed above, the plunger  24  is slidable with respect to the container  22 . The plunger  24  bottom is slid toward the container bottom  30  while being guided by the central opening  34 . This action drives the liquid  70  into the internal passageway  50  of the plunger  24 , as is best shown in  FIG. 4 . Upon the liquid reaching the desired level in the apparatus, the cap  60  is applied to the top of the plunger  24  and in the exemplary embodiment screwed down to maintain the pressure created by plunger  24  against the liquid  70 . 
         [0040]    In order to remove liquid from the apparatus  20  of the instant invention, the cap  60  is removed and liquid  70  is simply poured through the internal passageway  50  of the plunger  24 . It will be appreciated that because of the frusto-conical shape, liquid easily flows past the curved bottom end zone  52  of the plunger  24 . In order to reseal the apparatus  20  of the instant invention, the plunger bottom end zone  52  is pushed down toward the detent of the container  22 , inducing pressure again upon the liquid  70  and maintaining that pressure upon the liquid by screwing down of the cap  60  onto the top of the plunger  24 . 
         [0041]    It will be appreciated that as the plunger is pushed toward the bottom of the container, the air in the container is removed through the open top end of the plunger. Thereby, removing oxygen from the container during storage. And, in the case of wine, reducing the degree of oxidation. 
         [0042]    In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the plunger  24  includes a pair of grooves  40  and a single o-ring  42  and a guiding ring  55 . In this embodiment, the container lid  28  is not necessary. Instead, in this exemplary embodiment, the plunger&#39;s movement is guided toward the bottom of the container by the ring  55 . In an exemplary embodiment, the ring  55  is made from a hard plastic material that slides easily with the outer surface of the plunger  28 , guiding the plunger  28  as it journeys toward the bottom of the container  22 . Thus, the lid  28  is therefore eliminated in this embodiment. 
         [0043]    With particular reference to  FIG. 7 , there is shown another exemplary embodiment of the storage device in accordance with the invention. The storage device generally indicated by numeral  200  includes a container  202  having a central opening  204  and a lid  206  for covering a substantial portion of the central opening  202 . The lid  206  covers the central opening, however, the lid  206  has an opening  208 , itself, which defines guide means, as will be appreciated hereinafter. 
         [0044]    The storage device  200  includes a plunger assembly generally indicated by the numeral  210 . The plunger assembly  210  includes a plunger  212 . The plunger  212  has a central opening  214  and an outlet  216 . The outlet  216  includes a control valve  218 . 
         [0045]    The control valve  218  can be opened while the plunger  212  moves toward the bottom of the container  202 . As will be appreciated from  FIG. 7 , there being no other opening in the container  202 , once the air in the container has been removed, and contact with the liquid in the container is made, liquid from the container will enter the central opening  214  and flow along such a path that it will enter the outlet  216 . With continued pressure on the plunger  212  moving the plunger  212  toward the bottom of the container  202 , liquid from the container  202  will flow into the outlet valve  218 . Providing that the outlet valve  218  is opened, liquid from the container  202  will flow there through and in due course empty the container  202 . 
         [0046]    In order to make an airtight assembly, the plunger assembly  210  includes a washer or O-ring  220 . The O-ring wraps around the exterior circumference of the bottom portion  222  of the plunger  212 . The O-ring provides a friction feel to the user as the user depresses the plunger  212  through operation to remove liquid from the container  202 . The O-ring  220  provides an airtight seal between the plunger  212  and the container  202 , similar to the manner and construction of the earlier described embodiments. 
         [0047]    In use, in order to extract liquid, such as wine, from the container  202 , the plunger  212  is urged toward the floor of the container  202  as shown by the downward arrows in  FIG. 7 . Since, there is no other avenues of escape, the wine is forced through the central opening  214  and out the outlet  216  and through the outlet valve  218 . As will be appreciated the outlet valve  218  can be opened or closed for convenience. 
         [0048]    With respect to  FIG. 8 , there is shown another exemplary embodiment of the storage device, generally indicated by the numeral  300 . The storage device  300  includes a container  302  having a central opening  304  and a lid  306  for covering a substantial portion of the central opening  302 . The lid  306  covers the central opening  304 , however, the lid  306  has an opening  308 , itself, which defines guide means for the plunger, as will be appreciated hereinafter. 
         [0049]    The container has a bottom  301  with a detent  303 . Additionally, the bottom  301  includes an outlet valve  305 . As explained below, upon activation of the plunger, air in the container  302  is evacuated through the plunger and liquid is dispensed by using the bottom outlet valve. In order to facilitate such dispensing, the bottom  301  has a detent  303 . 
         [0050]    The storage device  300  includes a plunger assembly generally indicated by the numeral  310 . The plunger assembly  310  includes a plunger  312 . The plunger  312  has a central opening  314  defining an air outlet. The plunger  312  has a bottom  316  having a detent  318 . The detent  318  matches the curvature of the detent  303 . This facilitates in the smooth flow of liquid through the outlet valve  305 , and the flow of air through the air outlet  314 . Additionally, the detents  303 ,  318  facilitate a minimum of air entering the container  302 . 
         [0051]    In order to prevent air from returning into the container  302 , the air outlet  314  is provided with a plug  315 , allowing air to escape after liquid is added to the container  302 . In order to have the air escape through the air outlet  314 , the plunger is activated pushing out the air. After the air has escaped through outlet  314 , the plug is re-inserted into the outlet  314  for sealing the container  302 . 
         [0052]    In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the plug  315  is replaced by a pressure relief valve, which releases the pressure on the inside of the container as needed. This operation can take place either manually or through sensors without having the user present. 
         [0053]    The plunger assembly  310  includes a handle assembly  320 . The handle assembly  320  includes a handle  322  and a support rod  324 . The handle  322  has a distal end  326  and a proximal end  328 . The support rod  324  is hingedly connected to the container  302  at connection member  330 . 
         [0054]    Additionally, the handle  322  is hingedly connected to the support at the distal end  326 . The handle  322  is also hingedly connected to the top of the plunger  312 . The top of the plunger  312  includes a hinge  332  providing a connection point for the handle  322  between the proximal and distal ends of the handle. 
         [0055]    The proximal end  328  is designed for accommodating the hand of a user. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the proximal end  328  includes a grip for hand support. 
         [0056]    In order to make the plunger assembly  310  airtight, the plunger assembly  310  includes a washer or O-ring  340 . The O-ring  340  wraps around the exterior circumference of the plunger  312 . The O-ring  340  provides a friction feel to the user as the user depresses the plunger  312  through operation to evacuate air and dispense liquid from the container  302 . The O-ring  340  provides an airtight seal between the plunger  312  and the container  302 , similar to the manner and construction of the earlier described embodiments. 
         [0057]    In use, in order to dispense liquid, such as wine, from the container  302 , the plunger  312  is urged toward the floor of the container  302  as shown by the downward arrows in  FIG. 8 . As the plunger  312  is moved in the direction of the arrows, wine flows through the opened outlet valve  305  and into the consumer&#39;s glass, for example. Upon the desired amount of wine, for example, being dispensed, the valve  305  is closed, once again providing a sealed container for the liquid. 
         [0058]    In an alternative embodiment, the container  302  is provided with a safety relief valve. In case the user fails to appreciate that the valve  305  is closed, valve  305  or for example valve  315  or a separate valve entirely, is designed to relief pressure without causing harm to the container  302  or the user. It will be appreciated that the escape of liquid in the container is possible when the safety valve is activated. 
         [0059]    While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments of the storage apparatus in accordance with this invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. Particularly, there can quite a few varieties of means for guiding the plunger and also of creating and maintaining a seal between the plunger and the container. It will be appreciated that the specific mechanical objects that are used to provide this function remain unimportant, in and of themselves. However, the function of these elements is important and all such variations are all within the spirit and scope of this invention. It will be appreciated there are also various container shapes and plunger shapes and sizes are unimportant, as long as the functions of these elements are clearly provided, all such variations are suitable for use in the exemplary embodiments discussed above and that there are numerous embodiments that are not mentioned but within the scope and spirit of this invention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.