Devices and methods for preserving liquids, paints, and other materials

Abstract

Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of devices and methods for removing excess air from containers and/or for preserving liquids, paints, and other materials (including semi-liquids and even some solids) that might otherwise dry out, oxidize, or turn bad in some way after being opened, such as paint, wine, food, beverages, etc., when seals of the containers holding the same might be compromised over the passage of time and/or from use, etc.

1 . An apparatus for positioning within a partially filled container having an interior wall for helping preserve the contents partially filling the container, the apparatus comprising an inner portion and an outer edge portion disposed generally about the inner portion, the outer edge portion having greater flexibility than the inner portion, the apparatus configured to form a barrier to inhibit the transfer of gas and vapors through the apparatus when positioned within the partially filled container with the outer edge portion sealed and/or conformed against the interior wall. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner portion and outer edge portion comprise a single thermoformed sheet of material. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a thermoformed single sheet of material such that the outer edge portion comprises an outer ring section of the thermoformed sheet that is more flexible than the inner portion, which is a center section of the thermoformed sheet. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a single sheet of material thermoformed to have one or more structural features to add rigidity and/or enhance flotation. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more radially-extending spokes configured to increase rigidity of the inner portion; and/or   one or more rings concentric with a center of the inner portion and configured to increase rigidity of the inner portion.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more bubbles and/or blisters extending upwardly relative to an upper side of the apparatus and defining one or more cavities and/or pockets thereunder, the one or more cavities and/or pockets configured such that air may be trapped therein above a surface of a liquid in the container to thereby increase buoyancy of the apparatus. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more concentric rings including at least one ring taller than the outer edge portion of the apparatus for inhibiting liquid from passing internally beyond the at least one ring. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a spine extending upwardly from the inner portion, the spine configured to be gripped by a user and to allow at least some flexing of the inner portion. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner portion and outer edge portion have a monolithic single component structure. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle portion to facilitate installation of the apparatus into the container and/or removal of the apparatus from the container. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner portion and outer edge portion are generally circular shaped such that the outer edge portion defines a ring generally circumferentially about the inner portion. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer portion is concentrically disposed about the outer edge of the inner portion. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes upper and lower layers of materials stacked on each other. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the lower layer is more flexible than the upper layer. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the upper and lower layers comprise generally circular concentric shapes. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein a footprint of the lower layer is larger than a footprint of the upper layer such that a portion of the lower layer extends outwardly beyond the footprint of the upper layer to thereby form the outer edge portion that is more flexible than the inner portion formed by the stacked portions of the upper and lower layers. 
   
   
       17 . A method of removing excess air from a container, the method comprising:
 inflating an inflatable device positioned within the container to force out excess air from the container; and   closing an inflation opening of the inflatable device to inhibit deflation of the inflatable device by compressing the inflation opening between a lid of the container and a corresponding portion of the container.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising positioning the inflatable device within a container partially filled with paint, and whereby the removal of excess air from the container better preserves the paint. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein closing the inflation opening includes closing the lid of the container on top of the inflation opening. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the inflatable device includes an elongate tube section defining the inflation opening; and   closing the inflation opening includes compressing a portion of the elongate tube section between the lid and the corresponding portion of the container.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein closing the inflation opening includes closing the lid of the container on top of a portion of the elongate tube section. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the inflatable device includes an inflatable bag;   the elongate tube section extends outwardly from the inflatable bag; and   inflating the inflatable device includes blowing air into the elongate tube section to inflate the inflatable bag while positioned in the container.   
   
   
       23 . A device for positioning within a partially filled container for removing excess air from the container for storability of the contents of the container, the device comprising:
 an inflatable bag positionable within the container; and   an elongate tube section defining an inflation opening and extending outwardly from the inflatable bag for inflating the inflatable bag while positioned in the container, the elongate tube section configured to close the inflation opening when compressed between a lid of the container and a corresponding portion of the container.   
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein tube section is configured such that at least an end portion of the elongate tube section is external to the container when the inflatable bag is in the container. 
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the inflatable bag has a shape complementary to the shape defined by the interior of the container. 
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the inflatable bag includes a bottom portion wider and flatter than an upper portion of the inflatable bag, for sealing against the interior of the container.