Patent ID: 7051901

Claim:
A device for dispensing a liquid fluid from a container and for protecting unpoured liquid fluid from excessive oxidation by reducing ullage, comprising: a hollow interior of said container defining a liquid fluid chamber; a stopper removably mounted in a neck of said container; said stopper having a first, extended position relative to said neck of said container that enables pouring of liquid fluid from said container, said stopper having a second, retracted position relative to said neck of said container that prevents liquid fluid from being poured from said container; a first bore formed in said stopper, said first bore having a first diameter and extending longitudinally from a top wall of said stopper to a bottom wail of said stopper; a second bore farmed in said stopper, said second bore having a second diameter greater than said first diameter; said second bore having a radially-extending first part and a longitudinally-extending second part; said radially-extending first part having a radially outermost end in open communication with a sidewall of said stopper; said longitudinally-extending second part having a lower end in open communication with said bottom wall of said stopper; said radially outermost end being in open communication with ambient when said stopper is in said first, extended position; said radially outermost end being closed by said neck of said container when said stopper is in said second, retracted position; an inflatable bladder in fluid communication with said first bore; inflating means for inflating said bladder; said inflating means being connected to said top end of said first bore; said inflatable bladder adapted to displace liquid fluid remaining in said container when said bladder is inflated; whereby when said stopper is in said extended position, liquid fluid in said container is poured from said container through said second bore; whereby when said stopper is in said extended position, said inflating means is operated to inflate said bladder so that liquid fluid in said liquid fluid chamber is displaced by said bladder until said liquid fluid displaces substantially all air from said liquid fluid chamber so that no oxygen is in contact with said liquid fluid; whereby said stopper in placed into said retracted position after inflation of said bladder; and whereby said inflating means is then disconnected from said first bore without affecting the level of liquid fluid in said liquid fluid chamber.