Wine bottle closure apparatus

Abstract

An improved wine bottle closure and vacuum pump apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus provides an improved bulb structure to be used for pumping and storage purposes, the bulb remaining with a closure plug even after pumping is completed and the wine is to be stored for later consumption. The bulb structure can be collapsed in two different positions including a first position that maintains overall height of the bulb structure and a second position that enables the bulb structure to be shortened in height as an optional feature. The bulb structure provides an enlarged central section that is much larger in diameter than the lower end portion. The lower end portion provides a closure plug for fitting the opening of a wine bottle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/842,375, filed May 10, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wine bottle closure devices and more particularly wine bottle closure devices that employ a vacuum to remove air from the interior of the wine bottle, preserving the integrity of the wine. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a wine bottle closure apparatus of improved configuration that employs a hollow bulb structure having an enlarged diameter center section, opposed upper and lower smaller diameter sections, each of the smaller sections carrying a check valve, the lower end portion having a bottle closure plug sized and shaped to form a seal with the bottle opening of a wine bottle, and wherein the bulb structure is optionally collapsible into two different collapsed positions including a first collapsed position that maintains the overall height of the bulb structure and a second position that shortens the height of the bulb so that the combination of wine bottle and bulb are more easily stored in between the shelves of a refrigerator.

2. General Background of the Invention

Many devices have been patented that relate generally to the concept of pumping air from the inside of a wine bottle after it has been partially consumed. These patents discuss the use of pumps to remove air from the interior of the wine bottle and thus maintain a freshness and integrity of the wine. Examples of these patents can be seen in the following table:

TABLE 1
U.S.
PAT.		ISSUE
NO.	TITLE	DATE
1,788,795	Valve Controlled For Bottles	Jan. 13, 1931
	Containing Carbonated Beverages
3,129,835	Food Preservation	Apr. 21, 1964
3,557,986	Pressurizing Closure Device	Jan. 26, 1971
3,602,387	Pump and closure Assembly	Aug. 31, 1971
4,482,072	Pressurizing Apparatus For	Nov. 13, 1984
	Partially Filled Containers
4,684,033	Device For Retarding Oxidation of	Aug. 04, 1987
	Partly Consumed Bottle of Wine
4,763,803	Stopper For a Container Such as a	Aug. 16, 1988
	Bottle, and a Pump Connectable Thereto
	For Extraction of Gaseous Medium From
	or Pumping in Thereof into the Container
4,889,250	Vacuum Pump and Enclosure Assembly	Dec. 26, 1989
	For Beverage Container
5,031,785	Combination Vacuum/Pressure Pump	Jul. 16, 1991
	and Valve Stopper for Food or
	Drink Containers
5,957,317	Evacuation Actuating Closure for	Sep. 28, 1999
	a Container

The Hoban U.S. Pat. No. 1,788,795 entitled “Valve Control Closure for Bottles Containing Carbonated Beverage” is designed to maintain the carbonation of a drink product contained in a bottle by preventing it from becoming “flat”.

In the Collens U.S. Pat. No. 3,129,835, there is said to be value in protecting foods from bacterial deterioration using vacuum. The device disclosed in the '835 patent is said to have particular utility in the protection of coffee and numerous other items of food under vacuum. The Collens device discloses a wide mouth jar having a closure cap that employs valves. A hemispherically shaped flexible member or domed shaped member of rubber is used to squeeze air from the container.

The Poole U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,986 discloses a pressurizing closing device.

The Patnaude U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,387 discloses a pump and closure assembly that employs a bellows 20 said to be molded from a flexible plastic material. The bellows connects to a closure assembly that includes a single one way valve. An exhaust valve is provided at the top of the bellows. When the bellows is compressed, air is evacuated from the bellows. A coil spring is contained inside the bellows. The spring urges the bellows to an extended position so that as it expands. The device pumps air from the interior of a bottle to which it is attached.

The Hankins U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,072 discloses a pressurizing apparatus for partially filled containers.

The Marcus U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,033 discloses a device for retarding oxidation of a partially consumed bottle of wine. It employs a bulb and flexible flow line to pump air from the inside of the bottle.

The Schneider U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,803 discloses a stopper for a container (such as a bottle) and a pump connectable thereto for extraction of gaseous medium from or pumping into thereof into the container. The stopper and pump are separate structures that are connected together only when pumping is to occur. The stopper remains in the bottle as a closure device.

The Beyer U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,250 discloses a vacuum pump and enclosure assembly for a beverage container.

A combination vacuum/pressure pump and valve stopper for food or drink containers is disclosed in the Lemme U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,785.

The Lee U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,317 discloses an evacuation actuating closure for a container.

Some of these patents are designed to work only with wide mouth containers. Others of these devices employ complicated pumping devices that would be expensive to manufacture and prone to damage or leakage. For example, the Patnaude U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,387 employs a bellows with an internal spring. The spring would be an expensive part to install inside of a bellows. Further, the bellows provides a number of sharp corners and seams that would be prone to fatigue, cracking and eventually leakage.

The Hankins U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,072 discloses a complicated pump arrangement that would be expensive to manufacture. It would occupy a huge amount of space if remained in position upon the bottle after installation. Likewise, the Marcus, '033 patent discloses a complicated pumping arrangement that would occupy an excessive amount of space if it were left attached to the bottle.

The Schneider U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,803 requires a separate pump and separate stopper arrangement that would require one or the other to be located every time the device is to be used. A similar device that employs separate pump and stopper is sold under the mark “Vacuvin”.

It is known that oxygen has a deleting effect on the quality of wine over a period of time. The chemistry of wine is very complex and the constituents can be in the hundreds. Many appear as trace elements and can be directly oxidized from prolonged exposure to oxygen.

Oxygen can also affect the visual appearance of wine, creating a clouding of the wine from oxidized coloring matter within the wine. In addition to the negative deteriorative effects of oxygen on both the flavor and the coloring of the wine, oxygen changes some flavor components into acetic acid.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves prior art problems and shortcomings by providing a simple and convenient air/oxygen removal system for bottled wines that employs a squeeze type hand pump that fits the open mouth of a wine bottle and remains with the wine bottle once air and oxygen have been evacuated.

The improved pump arrangement of the present invention expels any air from within the wine bottle that could contribute to the source of flavor or essence deterioration of wine that remains within the bottle after it has been opened. The present invention provides an improved wine bottle closure apparatus that evacuates air from a wine bottle that has a neck with a bottle opening that communicates with a bottle interior.

The present invention employs an improved wine bottle closure device with a specially configured hollow bulb structure that has a bulb interior, an enlarged diameter center section, opposed upper and lower smaller diameter sections, and tapered transitions sections that extend from each of the upper and lower smaller diameter sections to the lower diameter section.

The bulb structure has an inflated position with a height. During use, the bulb can optionally be collapsed to one of two different collapsed positions. These positions can include at least one collapsed position that shortens the height of the bulb structure, thus providing a better storage configuration for the combination of wine bottle closure device and wine bottle after air has been pumped from the bottle using the bulb structure. With the present invention, it is not necessary to separate the vacuum pump and plug or stopper. The apparatus can be collapsed and shortened so that very little space is occupied by it (see FIGS. 5 and 7). It can then remain with the wine bottle until the contents are consumed at a later date.

The bulb structure includes a closure plug or stopper at its lower end portion that is sized and shaped to form a seal with a wine bottle opening. A bottle closure plug attaches to the lower section of the bulb and it has an open ended air flow channel that communicates with the bulb interior so that air can travel from the interior of the wine bottle to the interior of the bulb during pumping. The channel provides upper and lower openings at respective end portions of the channel.

A first check valve is mounted to an assembly of the bulb structure enclosure plug at a position that is next to the bulb structure lower section. The first check valve enables air flow in an upward direction from the plug air passage to the plug interior and disallowing substantial air flow in a downward direction from the bulb interior to the plug lower opening.

The second check valve is mounted to the bulb structure at a position next to the upper smaller diameter section. Either of the check valves can be of a type that can be opened to vent the bulb interior when not pumping. Alternatively, a relief valve can be optionally mounted on the bulb wall 17 for releasing any vacuum.

A bulb flow outlet is carried by the upper smaller diameter section and enables air to flow from the bulb interior through the second check valve to the atmosphere.

The bulb structure is preferably a resilient structure having a memory that urges the bulb wall to return to an expanded position. When the bulb is squeezed, air is thus evacuated from the bulb interior via the bulb flow outlet. The bulb has a collapsed position that subjects the bulb interior to a vacuum or sub-atmospheric pressure as the wall attempts to return to the expanded position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention shown attached to a common wine bottle;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the bulb in an inflated, expanded position and in a collapsed position (phantom lines) both of which maintain a maximum overall height for the bulb structure;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating pumping to remove air from a wine bottle;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the bulb structure in a collapsed position that shortens the bulb structure;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the closure cap that fits the upper end portion of the bulb structure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the bulb structure in a collapsed position that shortens the bulb structure;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional elevation view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, shown in a folded, storage position;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional elevation view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, shown in a folded, storage position;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a partial sectional elevation view of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional elevation view of a sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Wine bottle closure apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in detail and in FIGS. 2-6 when attached to a conventional wine bottle 11 having a lower section 12 that contains liquid contents, i.e. wine 34. Bottle 11 provides an interior 45 that normally contains air above liquid when the liquid 34 has been partially consumed. Bottle 11 provides a neck 13 and can have an enlarged diameter section 14 providing an opening 15 through which the contents can be dispensed.

Wine bottle closure apparatus 10 includes a bulb structure 16 having wall 17 and an interior 18. The bulb structure 16 has a larger diameter center section 19, a smaller diameter upper section 20 and a smaller diameter lower section 21.

Lower end portion 21 connects with apertured closure plug 22 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5. Plug 22 has air flow passageway 23 that enables air to be pumped from interior 45 of bottle 11 to interior 18 of bulb structure 16.

Plug 22 can be provided with one or more annular sealing rings 24 that help form a seal between plug 22 and bottle 11 at enlarge diameter section 14 of neck 13. Plug 22 and bulb 16 can be an integral structure of rubber or polymeric material (e.g. polyurethane).

A pair of check valves 25, 26 are provided with bulb structure 16 including a lower check valve 25 and an upper check valve 26. In FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, lower check valve 25 provides a perforated check valve body 27 that can be an integral part of bulb structure 16. Valving member 28 can be a disk member that forms a closure over air flow perforations or outlets 29 in valve body 27. Similarly, upper check valve 26 provides a perforated valve body 27 having flow passage 30 that communicates with air flow outlet 29 at the uppermost end portion of bulb structure 16. Each check valve 25, 26 can be a valve that can be opened to allow air to vent bulb interior 18, such as when the device 10 is separated from bottle 11 after use.

In order to pump air from bottle interior 45, a user employs finger 32 and thumb 33 to collapse bulb structure 16 by pressing the finger 32 and thumb 33 together in the direction of arrows 31 in FIG. 3. When the bulb structure 16 is collapsed to the position shown in FIG. 3 in phantom lines, a vacuum is formed in bulb interior 18 because the wall 17 has a memory and is biased to return to its original position of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 (in hard lines in FIG. 3). The bulb wall 17 can be of rubber, polyurethane or other suitable polymeric material. Such bulb wall material is commonly employed, for example, in the bulb type pumps associated with common, commercially available blood pressure measuring devices.

As the bulb wall 17 attempts to return to its original position of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, as illustrated by arrows 38 in FIG. 4, air travels in the direction of arrows 35, 36 through passage 23 of plug 22 and into bulb interior 18. Air entering into bulb 18 is schematically illustrated by arrows 37.

While the collapsed wall position during pumping is shown by the numeral 41 in FIG. 3, a second collapsed position of bulb structure 16 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 and indicated by the numeral 42. The collapsed storage position 42 shortens the overall height of bulb structure 16 as schematically illustrated by arrows 40 in FIG. 5 when compared to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

A cap 43 having a cap interior 44 can be placed over smaller diameter upper end portion 20 as shown in FIG. 6 to prevent any leakage over a period of time such as when the wine bottle closure apparatus 10 and bottle 11 are stored in a refrigerator below shelf 46 as seen in FIG. 7. The shortened collapsed storage position 42 enables the combination of bottle 11 and wine bottle closure apparatus 10 to be stored in between two more closely spaced apart refrigerator shelves 46.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an additional embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 50. Wine bottle closure apparatus 50 provides a cylindrically shaped hollow bulb structure 51 having wall 52 and interior 53. A cylindrically shaped section 54 surrounds a hollow interior 53. The bulb structure 51 has an upper section 55 and a lower section 56. The lower section 56 includes an aperatured closure plug 57 having a central air flow passageway 58. One or more annular rings 59 can be provided on the outer surface of closure plug 57, forming a seal in between bottle 11 and aperatured closure plug 57.

Bulb structure 51 provides an upper check valve 61 and a lower check valve 60. Annular shoulder 62 rests upon the top of bottle 11 as shown in FIG. 8 and indexes the aperatured closure plug 57 to its full seated position within bottle 11 as shown in FIG. 8. To insert the apparatus 50 into a wine bottle 11, a user pushes the bulb structure 51, forcing the closure plug 57 into the bottle opening 15. The user knows that the closure plug 57 is in its proper position when annular shoulder 62 rests upon the top of bottle 11. In order to pump air from the interior of bottle 11, a user pumps bulb structure 51 at cylindrically shaped section 54. Air in interior 53 is evacuated through upper check valve 61. Lower check valve 60 simultaneously closes. When the user releases bulb structure 51, it is resilient and returns to its original uncompressed shape (FIG. 8) creating a vacuum in interior 53 which closes upper check valve 61 and opens valve 60. The interior of bottle 11 is thus subjected to the same vacuum of interior 53 resulting in air flow from the bottle interior through the lower check valve 60 to bulb interior 53. Repeated (e.g. 10-20) pumps (compressing) of bulb structure 51 removes additional air from bottle 11. The following embodiments of FIGS. 10-14 pump air from the interior of bottle 11 through similar use of a pair of one way check valves.

FIG. 9 illustrates a folded, storage position 63 for bulb structure 51. When in the folded, storage position 63, a c-shaped ring 64 can be used to secure the upper section 55 of bulb structure 51 to the neck 13 of bottle 11 as shown in FIG. 9. C-shaped ring 64 can be a separate member or can be integrally formed with or attached to bulb structure 51. Ring 64 provides a slot 65 that is receptive of bottle neck 13 or the enlarged diameter section 14 of bottle 11 as shown in FIG. 9. Arrow 67 in FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the addition of ring 64 to the combination of bulb structure 51 and bottle 11. Arrow 66 illustrates the folding of closure plug 51 from the upright position of FIG. 8 to the folded position of FIG. 9. When so folded (FIG. 9) the overall height of bottle 11 and bottle 57 is reduced.

Another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, designated by the numeral 68. Wine bottle closure apparatus 68 has an upper section 69 and a lower section 70. A cylindrically shaped bulb section 71 is provided for pumping the apparatus 68. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, a user squeezes the cylindrical section 71 in order to evacuate air contained in bottle 11. An aperatured closure plug 72 having air flow passageway 73 fits bottle 11 at opening 15. One or more annular rings 74 on aperatured closure plug 72 can be used to enhance a seal between closure plug 72 and bottle 11. Cylindrically shaped bulb section 71 includes an upper check valve 76 and a lower check valve 75. Annular shoulder 77 is used to index closure plugs 72 with respect to bottle 11. When annular shoulder 77 contacts the top of bottle 11, the closure plug 72 is in its proper position.

The check valves 75, 76 only allow air flow from the bottle 11 through the bulb section 71 to perforated disk 78 and air flow outlet 79. When a user squeezes the bulb section 71, upper check valve 76 opens and lower check valve 75 closes so that air contained within the bulb section 71 is pumped outwardly through air flow outlet 79. When a user releases the bulb section 71, it has a memory that returns it to its original position and suctions air from the interior of bottle 11 through air flow passageway 73 and into bulb 71 interior.

C-shaped ring 80 is attached to perforated disk 78 as shown in FIG. 10. C-shaped ring 80 provides a slot 81 that enables the ring 80 to be attached to the neck 13 of bottle 11 as shown in FIG. 11. A folded, storage position 82 is thus shown in FIG. 11. Arrow 83 schematically illustrates a folding of cylindrically shaped bulb section 71 from its upright position of FIG. 10 to the folded position of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated by the numeral 84. Wine bottle closure apparatus 84 provides a cylindrical body 85 having upper end portion 86 and lower end portion 87. Pump shaft 88 extends generally vertically through cylindrical body 85. Pump shaft 88 is fitted with an opening in upper button 89. Pump shaft 88 has a lower end fitted with piston 91 opposite button 89 as shown. The piston 91 travels in pump chamber 90 between an upper and a lower position. Return spring 92 biases the pump piston 91 to the upper position as shown in FIG. 12. Air is evacuated from the interior of bottle 11 when a user pumps the apparatus 84 by pushing down on button 89. When a user pushes down on button 89, valve 94 closes and valve 93 opens. These check valves 93, 94 thus only allow air to travel in one direction from the bottle 11 interior through ports 96, valve 94, channel 97 and then through check valve 93 to discharge outlet 98. The check valve 94 is mounted in chamber 95. The check valve 93 is mounted in chamber 99.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 100. Wine bottle closure apparatus 100 provides a closure plug 104 that is expanded to engage bottle 11, being operated with a cam locking member 101. The cam locking member 101 provides a cam lever 102 which when rotated in the direction of arrow 103 to thus expand the closure plug 104. Shaft 116 extends through the plug 104. A plate 117 is attached to the lower end of the shaft just below plug 104. Cam lever 102 pulls shaft 102 upwardly, compressing and expanding plug 104 in between plate 117 and a plate 118 under lever 102. One way check valves are provided at positions 107, 108, connected by a passageway that communicates with the interior of the bottle 11. The passageway could be a metal sleeve or pipe so that it does not collapse when cam lever 102 is rotated to the locking position (see arrow 103 ). A bulb 106 can be squeezed against bottleneck 13 as illustrated schematically by arrow 106 in FIG. 13. Thus, the user would grasp the combination of bulb 105 and bottleneck 13 during pumping operation. As with the embodiments of FIGS. 1-12, the two check valves are so configured and so positioned to evacuate air from bottle 11 when repeated pumping of bulb 15 occurs. Arrows 109 in FIG. 13 schematically illustrate the flow path of air from bottle 11 interior to the check valve at position 108, this discharge of air being schematically illustrated by arrow 109.

Another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG. 14. Wine bottle closure apparatus 110 in FIG. 14 includes a closure plug 111. A bulb 112 can be used to pump air from bottle 11 interior, the combination of bulb 112 and closure plug 111 being provided with check valves at positions 113, 114. The direction of flow of air from bottle 11 interior to the exterior of bulb 112 is schematically illustrated by arrows 115.

The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:

PARTS LIST:
Part Number Description
10          wine bottle closure apparatus
11          bottle
12          lower section
13          neck
14          enlarged diameter section
15          opening
16          bulb structure
17          wall
18          interior
19          larger diameter center section
20          smaller diameter upper section
21          smaller diameter lower section
22          apertured closure plug
23          air flow passageway
24          annular ring
25          lower check valve
26          upper check valve
27          check valve body
28          valving member
29          air flow outlet
30          flow passage
31          arrow
32          user's finger
33          user's thumb
34          liquid
35          arrow
36          arrow
37          arrow
38          arrow
40          arrow
41          collapsed wall pumping position
42          storage position
43          cap
44          cap interior
45          bottle interior
46          shelf
50          wine bottle closure apparatus
51          bulb structure
52          wall
53          interior
54          cylindrically shaped section
55          upper section
56          lower section
57          aperatured closure plug
58          air flow passageway
59          annular ring
60          lower check valve
61          upper check valve
62          annular shoulder
63          folded, storage position
64          c-shaped ring
65          slot
66          arrow
67          arrow
68          wine bottle closure apparatus
69          upper section
70          lower section
71          cylindrically shaped bulb section
72          aperatured closure plug
73          air flow passageway
74          annular ring
75          lower check valve
76          upper check valve
77          annular shoulder
78          perforated disk
79          air flow outlet
80          c-shaped ring
81          slot
82          folded, storage position
83          arrow
84          wine bottle closure apparatus
85          cylindrical body
86          upper end portion
87          lower end portion
88          pump shaft
89          button
90          pump chamber
91          piston
92          return spring
93          check valve
94          check valve
95          chamber
96          port
97          channel
98          discharge outlet
99          chamber
100         wine bottle closure apparatus
101         cam locking member
102         lever
103         arrow
104         closure plug
105         bulb
106         arrow
107         check valve
108         check valve
109         arrow
110         wine bottle closure apparatus
111         closure plug
112         bulb
113         check valve location
114         check valve location
115         arrow
116         shaft
117         plate
118         plate

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A wine bottle closure apparatus that evacuates air from a wine bottle having a neck with a bottle opening that communicates with a bottle interior, comprising:

a) a hollow bulb structure that has a bulb interior, an enlarged diameter center section, opposed upper and lower smaller diameter sections, and tapered sections that extend from each of the upper and lower smaller diameter sections to the larger diameter section, the bulb structure having an inflated position with a height;

b) a bottle closure plug that is sized and shaped to form a seal with the plug attaching to the lower section of the bulb, the closure plug having an open ended air flow channel that communicates with the bulb interior, an upper opening and a lower opening at respective end portions of the channel;

c) a first check valve mounted to an assembly of bulb structure and closure plug at a position that is next to the bulb structure lower section, the first check valve enabling air flow in an upward direction from the plug air passage to the bulb interior and disallowing substantial air flow in a downward direction from the bulb interior to the plug lower opening;

d) a second check valve mounted to the bulb structure at a position next to the upper smaller diameter section;

e) a bulb flow outlet carried by upper smaller diameter section;

f) wherein the second check valve enables flow between the bulb interior and the bulb flow outlet; and

g) the bulb structure being a resilient structure having a memory so that when the bulb is squeezed, air is evacuated from the bulb interior via the bulb flow outlet and the bulb has a collapsed position that subjects the bulb interior to subatmospheric pressure.

2. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower smaller diameter sections are about the same diameter.

3. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bulb structure has a bulb height and can be collapsed to a position that shortens the bulb height.

4. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plug is generally cylindrically shaped having a central longitudinal axis, said air flow channel being generally aligned with said longitudinal axis.

5. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first check valve is contained in the closure plug.

6. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first check valve is contained in the closure plug.

7. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bulb structure includes a flexible side wall.

8. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 7 wherein in the collapsed position, the flexible side wall folds to provide a circumferentially extending fold that surrounds the closure plug and shortens bulb height.

9. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wine bottle having a body, a tapered neck and a bottle opening at the top of the neck, wherein the closure plug occupies the bottle opening during use.

10. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 9 wherein the check valve occupies a position in the bottle opening.

11. A wine bottle closure apparatus that evacuates air from a wine bottle having a neck with a bottle opening that communicates with a bottle interior, comprising:

a) a hollow bulb structure that has a bulb interior, an enlarged diameter center section, opposed upper and lower smaller diameter sections, and tapered sections that extend from each of the upper and lower smaller diameter sections to the larger diameter section, the bulb structure having an inflated position with a height;

b) a bottle closure plug that is sized and shaped to form a seal with the plug attaching to the lower section of the bulb, the closure plug having an open ended air flow channel that communicates with the bulb interior, an upper opening and a lower opening at respective end portions of the channel;

c) a first check valve mounted to an assembly of bulb structure and closure plug at a position that is next to the bulb structure lower section, the first check valve enabling air flow in an upward direction from the plug air passage to the bulb interior and disallowing substantial air flow in a downward direction from the bulb interior to the plug lower opening;

d) a second check valve mounted to the bulb structure at a position next to the upper smaller diameter section;

e) a bulb flow outlet carried by upper smaller diameter section;

f) wherein the second check valve enables flow between the bulb interior and the bulb flow outlet; and

g) the bulb structure being a resilient structure having a memory so that when the bulb is squeezed, air is evacuated from the bulb interior via the bulb flow outlet collapsing the bulb to a collapsed position that subjects the bulb interior to a vacuum and wherein the collapsed position can be selected to either shorten the bulb's height or maintain the bulb's height.

12. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 11 wherein the upper and lower smaller diameter sections are about the same diameter.

13. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 11 wherein the bulb structure has a height and can be collapsed to a position that shortens bulb height.

14. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 11 wherein the plug is generally cylindrically shaped having a central longitudinal axis, said air flow channel being generally aligned with said longitudinal axis.

15. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first check valve is contained in the closure plug.

16. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first check valve is contained in the closure plug.

17. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 11 wherein the bulb structure includes a flexible side wall.

18. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 17 wherein in the collapsed position, the flexible side wall can be folded to provide an annular fold that surrounds the closure plug and shortens bulb height.

19. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a wine bottle having a body, a tapered neck and a bottle opening at the top of the neck, wherein the closure plug occupies the bottle opening during use.

20. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 19 wherein the check valve occupies a position in the bottle opening.

21. A wine bottle closure apparatus that evacuates air from a wine bottle having a neck with a bottle opening that communicates with a bottle interior, comprising:

a) a hollow bulb structure that has a bulb interior, an enlarged diameter center section, opposed upper and lower smaller diameter sections, and tapered sections that extend from each of the upper and lower smaller diameter sections to the larger diameter section, the bulb structure having an inflated position with a height;

b) the bulb structure lower section including a bottle closure plug that is sized and shaped to form a seal with the bottle opening, said closure plug having an air flow channel for communicating between the bulb interior and the wine bottle interior, the channel providing apposed openings;

c) a first check valve mounted to an assembly of bulb structure and closure plug at a position that is next to the bulb structure lower section, the first check valve enabling air flow in an upward direction from the plug air passage to the bulb interior and disallowing substantial air flow in a downward direction from the bulb interior to the plug lower opening;

d) a second check valve mounted to the bulb structure at a position next to the upper smaller diameter section;

e) a bulb flow outlet carried by upper smaller diameter section;

f) wherein the second check valve enables flow between the bulb interior and the bulb flow outlet; and

g) the bulb structure being a resilient structure having a memory so that when the bulb is squeezed, air is evacuated from the bulb interior via the bulb flow outlet and the bulb has a collapsed position that subjects the bulb interior to subatmospheric pressure.

22. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 21 wherein the upper and lower smaller diameter sections are about the same diameter.

23. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 21 wherein the bulb structure has a height and can be collapsed to a position that shortens bulb height.

24. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 21 wherein the plug is generally cylindrically shaped having a central longitudinal axis, said air flow channel being generally aligned with said longitudinal axis.

25. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 21 wherein the first check valve is contained in the closure plug.

26. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 24 wherein the first check valve is contained in the closure plug.

27. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 21 wherein the bulb structure includes a flexible side wall.

28. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 27 wherein in the collapsed position, the flexible side wall can be folded to provide an annular fold that shortens bulb height.

29. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a wine bottle having a body, a tapered neck and a bottle opening at the top of the neck, wherein the closure plug occupies the bottle opening during use.

30. The wine bottle closure apparatus of claim 29 wherein the check valve occupies a position in the bottle opening.