Methods and devices for controlling air inside a closed container

Abstract

A system having a sealed container capable of storing an oxygen-degradable product and an air control device attached to the container, where the air control device includes an activation device; at least one air control valve to allow air to flow out of the container, at least one pressure relief valve, an at least one air flow device comprising a vacuum pump, at least one filtration device and at least one controller and where the air control device is designed to securely attach to the container.

1 . A system comprising:
 a container comprising two sets of opposing solid side walls, a bottom, and a cover, wherein the container is capable of storing an oxygen-degradable product and a mating surface at an upper end of the container mates with a mating surface on an inner portion of the cover to form an airtight seal; and   an air control device attached to the container, wherein the air control device comprises:
 an activation device; 
 at least one air control valve sufficiently designed to allow air to flow out of an inner volume of the container formed by the two sets of opposing walls, the bottom, and the cover of the container; 
 at least one pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the inner volume of the container, wherein the at least one pressure relief valve is sufficiently designed to allow air to flow into the inner volume of the container; 
 an at least one air flow device comprising a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the inner volume of the container, the at least one air control valve, and the at least one pressure relief valve, 
 at least one filtration device in fluid communication with the at least one air flow device and the inner volume of the container; and 
 at least one controller sufficiently designed to start the air flow device in response to activation of the activation device and stop the air flow device based on a vacuum and/or pressure level in the container; and 
   wherein the air control device is sufficiently designed to securely attach to the container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air control device is attached to a side wall of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air control device is attached to the container cover. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller comprises a circuit board with a timer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the activation device comprises a push button. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an indicator light. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container includes an oxygen-degradable product. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the oxygen-degradable product comprises foodstuffs and/or chemicals. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the foodstuffs comprises grain, milk powder, and/or animal food. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mating surface at the upper end of the container and the mating surface on the inner portion of the cover are threaded. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a seal sufficiently designed to form an airtight seal. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the seal comprises a gasket or an o-ring. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the seal is formed of thermoplastic, rubber, metal, graphite, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system is sufficiently designed to maintain stability of the oxygen-degradable product for about one week to about 5 years.