Storage accessory for preventing oxidation of contents stored within a container

Abstract

A storage accessory that enables containers to be sealed at a desired level above the remaining contents. In an embodiment, the sealing device for a container comprises a device body having a chamber with an opening in the bottom end of the device body. The bottom end of the device body adapted to be inserted into a container, such as a wine bottle. A deployment member within the chamber, which may traverse the device body, is configured to be able to deploy arms that bias a flexible barrier outward to engage the container. In an embodiment, the arms are formed from resilient metal wires made of superelastic shape memory alloy, such as NiTi. When in a retracted position, the resilient wires may fit into the chamber of the device body. When in an expanded position, the resilient wires bias the flexible barrier causing the flexible barrier to seal a container. When the expanded arms bias the barrier against the walls of the container, sealing the container, its contents are substantially free from contact with environmental oxygen, and is only in contact with the air existing between the barrier and the contents of the container.

1 . A sealing device for a container, comprising:
 a device body having a chamber therein, the device body having an opening in proximal end of the device body and an opening in a distal end of the device body, the opening in the distal end providing access to the chamber, the distal end of the device body adapted to be inserted into a container;   a deployment member having a deployed position and a retracted position;   a plurality of arms attached to the deployment member such that, when the deployment member is in the retracted position, the arms fit within the chamber, and when deployment member is in the deployed position, at least a substantial portion of the arms are without the chamber and within a flexible barrier, the arms being adapted to bias the flexible barrier against the container when the deployment member is in the deployed position, thereby sealing the container.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible barrier is formed from a silicone material. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a grip mounted to the deployment member, the grip adapted for transitioning the deployment member between the deployed position and the retracted position. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a gasket retractor affixed in movable relation with the deployment member and affixed to the flexible gasket, whereby the gasket retractor biases the flexible gasket towards the chamber when the deployment member is transitioned to the retracted position. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a collar slidably mounted on the device body, the collar being adapted to resist insertion of the device body into the container beyond a location corresponding to the position of the collar on the device body. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing of the flexible barrier against the inner walls of the container holds the device body stable in the container. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arms comprise a shape memory alloy, and wherein the arms, when in an expanded position are adapted to be in a stable memory position for alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arms are made of a superelastic alloy. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arms are made of nickel titanium (NiTi). 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arms have a pinwheel form. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms is sufficient to create an air-seal between the flexible barrier and the container. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom side of the flexible barrier is flat, and wherein the flexible barrier is adapted to be positioned above content stored within the container. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is adapted to seal a container having parallel sides. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is adapted to seal a wine bottle. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is adapted to seal a container that is chemistry glassware. 
     
     
         16 . A method for sealing a container, comprising the steps of:
 inserting one end of a device body into an opening of a container, wherein the device body has arms therein and a flexible barrier, the arms being adapted to outwardly bias the flexible barrier when deployed out of the device body;   deploying the arms, through an opening in the one end of the device body, into the container the arms having a memory position causing them to expand outwardly towards the walls of the container;   biasing the flexible barrier, via the arms, against walls of the container, thereby sealing the container.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of deploying the arms further comprises the step of:
 moving a deployment member movably affixed to the arms toward the one end of the device body.   
     
     
         18 . A method for unsealing a container sealed with a flexible barrier biased against the container walls by means of a plurality of arms, comprising the steps of:
 retracting the arms into a device body thereby releasing a biasing force of the arms against the flexible barrier, and thus releasing a biasing force of the flexible barrier against walls of the container; and,   removing the device body from an opening of the container, wherein the device body has the arms substantially entirely therein.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of retracting the arms further comprises the step of:
 exerting a first mechanical force on the arms, in a direction coaxial with, and away from, the container, via a deployment member running through the opening of the container.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:
 after the device body is removed from the opening of the container, exerting a second mechanical force on the arms in a direction opposite the first mechanical force, thereby deploying the arms out of the device body, and into a stable memory position for the arms; and   storing the device body for reuse with its arms in a stable memory position.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of retracting the arms retracts the arms and flexible barrier at once into a device body.