Systems and methods for de-oxygenation of a closed container
A de-oxygenation stopper configured to enable aging of an oxygen sensitive material such as wine contained within a vessel, while minimizing oxygen content within the vessel. The stopper includes an oxygen scavenging element configured to remove and/or neutralize oxygen molecules within the vessel, and a sealing element formed of one or more materials having tailored oxygen transmission rate(s) configured to enable the material to age at a desired rate.
1 . A stopper for sealing an opening of a material-containing vessel, the stopper being configured to minimize an oxygen content within the vessel, the stopper comprising:
a sealing element having a first oxygen transmission rate, the sealing element being configured to seal an opening of a vessel, wherein the sealing element defines an interior sealed chamber; and
an oxygen scavenging element contained within the interior sealed chamber, the oxygen scavenging element configured to scavenge oxygen from a headspace of the vessel, wherein the oxygen scavenging element comprises a plug formed of a particulate or powered oxygen scavenging agent, and
wherein the first oxygen transmission rate of the sealing element is configured to enable aging of a material contained within the vessel.
2 . The stopper of claim 1 , wherein sealing element is configured as a standard sized cork for at least one of a cask, keg or barrel.
3 . The stopper of claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is formed of a material configured to inhibit the absorption and/or transmission of liquid therethrough.
4 . The stopper of claim 1 , wherein the sealing element includes a first portion having the first oxygen transmission rate, and a second portion having a second oxygen transmission rate, wherein the first oxygen transmission rate is greater than the second oxygen transmission rate.
5 . The stopper of claim 4 , wherein the second portion is configured to inhibit the passage therethrough and/or absorption therein of oxygen molecules.
6 . The stopper of claim 4 , wherein the oxygen scavenging element is positioned at least partially within the first portion.
7 . The stopper of claim 4 , wherein the oxygen scavenging element is positioned at least partially within both the first portion and the second portion.
8 . The stopper of claim 1 , wherein the stopper includes structure defining one or more sealing ribs formed of on an outer surface of the sealing element, the one or more sealing ribs being configured to enhance sealing between the sealing element and the vessel.
9 . The stopper of claim 1 , wherein the stopper is configured to seal the vessel such that when the stopper is in a horizontal storage position, the material contained within the vessel stays within the vessel.
10 . The stopper of claim 1 , wherein the sealing element comprises a sidewall and a cap positioned at a top end of the sidewall, wherein an oxygen permeable material is positioned at a bottom end of the sidewall to seal the oxygen scavenging element within the interior sealed chamber.
11 . The stopper of claim 10 , wherein the cap is configured to be removed to access the chamber for removal and replacement of the oxygen scavenging element without removing the stopper from the vessel.
12 . The stopper of claim 11 , wherein the stopper further includes an indicator configured to detect a level of oxygen within the vessel and indicate when the oxygen scavenging element should be replaced.
13 . The stopper of claim 12 , wherein the indicator is a probe which extends within a headspace of the vessel.
14 . The stopper of claim 12 , wherein the indicator comprises a material that is configured to change color depending on the level of oxygen present.
15 . The stopper of claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, polybutadiene styrene (PBS), polycarbonate (PC), Polyvinylidene dichloride (PVDC), polylactic acid (PLA), nylon, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), and combinations thereof.
16 . The stopper of claim 4 , the first portion having the first oxygen transmission rate comprises low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, or combinations thereof.