20150259186 | Vacuum Bottle Stopper for Wine, Inert Gas Supply and Method - Vacuum bottle stoppers for wine, a method of preserving wine, a method of serving wine from a bottle stored in a vacuum, all particularly suited for partially consumed bottles of wine are disclosed. Systems and methods are also disclosed for evacuating a partially consumed bottle of wine, filling the wine bottle head space with an inert or other gas and then storing the wine bottle while maintaining the inert or other gas in the bottle. The stopper has a vacuum valve in a vacuum indicator in a removable cap. The vacuum valve has a self-closing passageway due to the passageway traversing an elastomeric material. The vacuum indicator moves in response to vacuum and reveals a marking on a valve opener when a desired vacuum is achieved. The stopper may have a filter, which also aerates. The method of preserving wine includes installing the stopper in the neck of the bottle and withdrawing air from the bottle through the stopper. The method of serving wine includes releasing vacuum from the bottle by unseating the removable cap, removing the cap and pouring wine through the stopper. Vacuum pumps for the stopper are also disclosed. | 09-17-2015 |