Patent ID: 8177088

Claim:
An adjustable sealing device for a storage container having a bottom, an opening, and an at least substantially cylindrical sidewall that expands upwardly from said bottom to said opening; wherein said at least substantially cylindrical sidewall comprises an inner surface, an inner size and an inner cross-sectional configuration; and wherein said sealing device comprises: a seal and valve assembly; and an insertion/removal assembly for said seal and valve assembly; wherein said insertion/removal assembly is operable to permit a user to insert said seal and valve assembly into said storage container and to remove said seal and valve assembly from said storage container; wherein said seal and valve assembly comprises a sealing ball, a vent in said sealing ball, and a valve for said vent; wherein at least a peripheral sealing portion of said sealing ball is resilient; wherein said peripheral sealing portion is sized and shaped to be operable to form a seal with a corresponding portion of said inner surface of said at least substantially cylindrical sidewall; and wherein said valve is operable to permit air to escape through said vent from a space between said sealing ball and said bottom of said storage container when said seal and valve assembly is inserted into said storage container, is operable to permit air to enter said space through said vent when said seal and valve assembly is removed from said storage container, and is operable to prevent air from entering said space through said vent when said seal and valve assembly is installed in a desired location within said storage container.