Reusable closure with vent

Abstract

A preservation apparatus and method for using the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the preservation apparatus comprises a removable closure adapted to fit together in a sealed relationship with a vessel for containing an item, the removable closure comprising a top portion having a first opening to enable pressure within the vessel to be transferred to an interior of the top portion; and a container operable to contain a substance operable to collect oxygen molecules contained within the vessel and render them harmless to the item, wherein the container comprises a lid with a second opening located in proximity to the first opening and having a vent through which the pressure from the vessel is transferred to the interior of the top portion.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A preservation apparatus comprising:
 a removable closure adapted to fit together in a sealed relationship with a vessel for containing an item, the removable closure comprising
 a top portion having a first opening to enable pressure within the vessel to be transferred to an interior of the top portion; and 
 a container operable to contain a substance operable to collect oxygen molecules contained within the vessel and render them harmless to the item, wherein the container comprises a lid with a second opening located in proximity to the first opening and having a first vent through which the pressure from the vessel is transferred to the interior of the top portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the first vent comprises porous plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 1  further comprising a second vent in the second opening of the lid. 
     
     
         4 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 3  wherein the first and second vents allow air molecules to pass while preventing liquid from passing. 
     
     
         5 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the removable closure further comprises:
 a pressure sensor to measure the pressure in the interior of the top portion; and 
 an indicator coupled to the pressure sensor to provide an indication regarding a state of the portion of the vessel sealed by the removable closure, based on one or more pressure values from the pressure sensor. 
 
     
     
         6 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 5  wherein the indicator comprises a visual indicator. 
     
     
         7 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 6  wherein the visual indicator comprises one or more lights. 
     
     
         8 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 5  wherein the indicator is operable to indicate the portion of the vessel sealed by the removable closure is at a vacuum pressure has reached a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         9 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 8  wherein the visual indicator comprises a top portion coupled to the container that is movable in response to changes in vacuum pressure in the sealed portion of the vessel. 
     
     
         10 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 9  wherein the top portion becomes flush with another portion of the removable closure in response to the vacuum pressure in the sealed portion of the vessel reaching a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         11 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the container comprises a material that allows oxygen molecules to pass through to at least a portion of the container and chemically react with the substance. 
     
     
         12 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 11  wherein the material that allows oxygen molecules to pass through to the second while preventing the item from entering the interior of the container. 
     
     
         13 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the substance includes an aldehyde absorber. 
     
     
         14 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein a vacuum within a first portion of the vessel sealed by the removable closure increases as more of the oxygen molecules are rendered harmless. 
     
     
         15 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the removable closure is sized to fit within a neck of the vessel. 
     
     
         16 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 15  wherein the vessel comprises a bottle. 
     
     
         17 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the item comprises one selected from a group consisting of a beverage, wine, cooking oil, beer, and spirits. 
     
     
         18 . A preservation apparatus comprising:
 a removable closure adapted to fit together in a sealed relationship with a vessel for containing an item, the removable closure comprising
 a top portion having a first opening to enable pressure within the vessel to be transferred to an interior of the top portion; and 
 a container operable to contain a substance operable to collect oxygen molecules contained within the vessel and render them harmless to the item, wherein the container comprises a lid with a second opening located in proximity to the first opening and having a first vent through which the pressure from the vessel is transferred to the interior of the top portion and a second vent in the second opening of the lid, wherein the first and second vents allow air molecules to pass while preventing liquid from passing and wherein the first and second vents comprise porous plastic. 
   
     
     
         19 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 18  wherein the removable closure further comprises:
 a pressure sensor to measure the pressure in the interior of the top portion; and 
 an indicator coupled to the pressure sensor to provide an indication regarding a state of the portion of the vessel sealed by the removable closure, based on one or more pressure values from the pressure sensor. 
 
     
     
         20 . The preservation apparatus defined in  claim 18  wherein the indicator comprises a visual indicator.