Oxygen absorbing appliance

Abstract

An oxygen absorbing appliance includes a container body having a bottom wall, a peripheral wall and a peripheral rim. The appliance further includes a closure member to matingly engage the peripheral rim. The appliance further includes an oxygen absorber composition for removing oxygen within the container and an oxygen detector circuit for indicating the presence or absence of oxygen.

1 . An oxygen absorbing appliance comprising: 
 a container body including a bottom wall, a peripheral wall and a peripheral rim;    a closure member having a peripheral edge adapted to matingly engage the peripheral rim;    an oxygen absorber composition; and    an oxygen detector circuit.    
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the container body is adapted for storing products.  
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the products comprise food articles.  
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the products comprise beverages.  
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the container body is made from plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the container body is substantially transparent.  
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 6 , wherein the container body is substantially translucent.  
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the container body is made from aluminum.  
     
     
         9 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen absorber composition is adapted for absorbing oxygen from a space within the container body.  
     
     
         10 . The appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the oxygen absorber composition comprises a mixture of powdered iron and charcoal.  
     
     
         11 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen absorber composition is placed on a carrier and placed within the container.  
     
     
         12 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen detector circuit further includes: 
 a zinc-air battery that reacts with oxygen to produce a potential difference across a plurality of electrodes of the battery;    an electronic device for detecting the potential difference; and    a response indicator providing an oxygen indication responsive to the detected potential difference.    
     
     
         13 . The appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic device comprises a DC voltage sensor.  
     
     
         14 . The appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the response indicator comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED) that emits light responsive to the presence of oxygen.  
     
     
         15 . The appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the response indicator comprises a buzzer that produces a buzzing sound responsive to the presence of oxygen.  
     
     
         16 . An oxygen detector circuit comprising: 
 a zinc-air battery that reacts with oxygen to produce a potential difference across a plurality of electrodes of the battery;    an electronic device for detecting the potential difference; and    a response indicator providing an oxygen indication responsive to the detected potential difference.    
     
     
         17 . The circuit of  claim 16 , wherein the potential difference is compared to a threshold voltage by the electronic device.  
     
     
         18 . The circuit of  claim 17 , wherein when the potential difference exceeds the threshold voltage, the electronic devices generates an output signal.  
     
     
         19 . The circuit of  claim 18 , wherein the electronic device comprises a DC voltage sensor.  
     
     
         20 . The circuit of  claim 19 , wherein the response indicator comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED) that emits light responsive to the presence of oxygen.  
     
     
         21 . The circuit of  claim 20 , wherein the response indicator comprises a buzzer that produces a buzzer sound responsive to the presence of oxygen.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for retarding oxidation of wine that partially fills a container formed with an opening through which the wine can be poured, the apparatus comprising: 
 a closure member for mating with the opening;    an oxygen absorber composition placed at a first region within the closure member; and    an oxygen detector circuit placed at a second region within the closure member.    
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the container body comprises a bottle.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the closure member is shaped to mate with a mouth portion of the container.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the closure member is shaped to represent a wine glass.