Vessel stopper with a pressure indicator

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for preserving wine in a vessel. The system comprises a stopper adapted for engaging and airtight sealing the mouth of the vessel; the stopper comprises a valve assembly operable to draw and maintain a pressure differential within the vessel and a pressure indicator operable to indicate vacuum pressure within the vessel The system further comprises a pump operable to engage the valve assembly and to draw gas from within the vessel to an external atmosphere.

1 . An insert for a vessel, comprising: 
 a body adapted for inserting into the vessel and forming an airtight seal therewith;    a valve assembly disposed in said body for providing a passage into the vessel and for closing said passage; and    a pressure indicator disposed in said body for indicating a pressure within the vessel.    
   
   
       2 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure indicator comprises: 
 a pressure sensor for sensing said pressure; and    a display connected to said pressure sensor for displaying said pressure sensed by said pressure sensor.    
   
   
       3 . The insert of  claim 2 , wherein said display comprises: 
 a plurality of pressure indicia inscribed on said face, wherein each indicium represents a different pressure; and    an indicator disposed upon said face and connected to said pressure sensor for indicating at least one of said indicia.    
   
   
       4 . The insert of  claim 2 , wherein said display comprises: 
 a face;    a plurality of colors inscribed on said face, wherein each color represents a range of different pressures; and    an indicator disposed upon said face and connected to said pressure sensor for indicating at least one of said colors.    
   
   
       5 . The insert of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a sheath disposed around said body; and    a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from said sheath, wherein said plurality of ridges are wider than the mouth of the vessel, for forming an airtight seal between said body and the vessel.    
   
   
       6 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said valve assembly comprises: 
 a frame disposed in said body, wherein said frame has an orifice for providing fluid communication into the vessel; and    a valve stem disposed in said frame adapted for moving between an open position and a closed position with respect to said orifice.    
   
   
       7 . The insert of  claim 6 , wherein said valve assembly further comprises: 
 a biasing means operatively connected to said valve stem for biasing said valve stem towards said closed position.    
   
   
       8 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said valve assembly is adapted for engaging a vacuum pump.  
   
   
       9 . A system for preserving a beverage within a vessel, the system comprising: 
 a body adapted for inserting into the vessel and forming an airtight seal therewith;    a valve assembly disposed in said body for providing a passage into the vessel and for closing said passage;    a pressure indicator disposed in said body for indicating a pressure within the vessel; and    a pump for engaging said valve assembly and drawing said pressure    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said pressure indicator comprises: 
 a pressure sensor for sensing said pressure; and    a display connected to said pressure sensor for displaying said pressure sensed by said pressure sensor.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said display comprises: 
 a face;    a plurality of pressure indicia inscribed on said face, wherein each indicium represents a different pressure; and    an indicator disposed upon said face and connected to said pressure sensor for indicating at least one of said indicia.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said display comprises: 
 a face;    a plurality of colors inscribed on said face, wherein each color represents a range of different pressures; and    an indicator disposed upon said face and connected to said pressure sensor for indicating at least one of said colors.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a sheath disposed around said body; and    a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from said sheath, wherein said plurality of ridges are wider than the mouth of the vessel, for forming an airtight seal between said body and the vessel.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said valve assembly comprises: 
 a frame disposed in said body, wherein said frame has an orifice for fluid communication into the vessel; and    a valve stem disposed in said frame adapted for moving between an open position and a closed position with respect to said orifice.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said valve assembly further comprises: 
 a biasing means operatively connected to said valve stem for biasing said valve stem towards said closed position.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said pump is selected from the group consisting of a manual pump and an electric pump  
   
   
       17 . A method for preserving a beverage within a vessel, the method comprising: 
 sealing the vessel with an insert for creating an airtight seal therewith;    opening a fluid pathway within said insert between the vessel and an external atmosphere;    removing air from the vessel through said fluid pathway thereby creating a negative pressure within the vessel;    closing said fluid pathway for maintaining said negative pressure within the vessel; and    sensing said negative pressure within the vessel.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a step of displaying said negative pressure.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a step of providing a valve assembly for opening and closing said fluid pathway.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a step of providing a pressure sensor for sensing said negative pressure.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a step of providing a vacuum pump for removing air from the vessel.  
   
   
       22 . A system for preserving a beverage, the system comprising: 
 a vessel for storing a beverage therein;    a body adapted for inserting into the vessel and forming an airtight seal therewith;    a valve assembly disposed in said body for providing a passage into the vessel and for closing said passage;    a pressure indicator disposed in said body for indicating a pressure within the vessel; and    a pump for engaging said valve assembly and drawing said pressure.    
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said pressure indicator comprises: 
 a pressure sensor for sensing said pressure; and    a display connected to said pressure sensor for displaying said pressure sensed by said pressure sensor.    
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said display comprises: 
 a face;    a plurality of pressure indicia inscribed on said face, wherein each indicium represents a different pressure; and    an indicator disposed upon said face and connected to said pressure sensor for indicating at least one of said indicia.    
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said display comprises: 
 a face;    a plurality of colors inscribed on said face, wherein each color represents a range of different pressures; and    an indicator disposed upon said face and connected to said pressure sensor for indicating at least one of said colors.    
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 a sheath disposed around said body; and    a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from said sheath, wherein said plurality of ridges are wider than the mouth of the vessel, for forming an airtight seal between said body and the vessel.    
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said valve assembly comprises: 
 a frame disposed in said body, wherein said frame has an orifice for providing fluid communication into the vessel; and    a valve stem disposed in said frame adapted for moving between an open position and a closed position with respect to said orifice.    
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said valve assembly further comprises: 
 a biasing means operatively connected to said valve stem for biasing said valve stem towards said closed position.    
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said pump is selected from the group consisting of a manual pump and an electric pump.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said vessel is adapted to withstand a negative pressure of about 50 cmHg or more.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said vessel is manufactured of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, Plexiglass, and plastic.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the thickness of the walls of said vessel is greater than 3 mm