Container sealing device and its use

Abstract

The invention relates to a container closure device (for liquids) comprising: - a essentially frustomeric closure body made of an elastomeric material, - a hollow tube mounted in the closure body, and - an inflatable element fixed to one end of the hollow tube. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Container sealing device and its use

[0001] The invention relates to a container sealing device, and its uses, in particular to protect liquids from air.

[0002] The aging of wine is an essential step in the production of the final product. This aging process

[0003] takes place between the end of alcoholic and / or malolactic fermentation and bottling.

[0004] This step in the winemaking process is primarily intended to purify the wine of its

[0005] impurities through racking operations, to age the wine and to develop its

[0006] aromas, in particular the addition of external tannins, and to prepare the final blends in order to

[0007] to make the wine “consumable” at the time of bottling.

[0008] This rearing is carried out in tanks of varying capacities, or vats,

[0009] made of different materials such as concrete, enameled steel, stainless steel, the

[0010] fiberglass, wood and ceramics and terracotta, or even in large wooden barrels.

[0011] When the wine is put into a barrel or vat, it is almost hermetically isolated from the outside, the wine occupying all the available space in the vat or barrel.

[0012] However, during this aging process, some of the wine is lost through evaporation, known as the angels' share. Although this step is necessary, it has the disadvantage of leaving the wine in contact with atmospheric oxygen, which leads to oxidation and fermentation and alters the wine's organoleptic qualities.

[0013] To overcome this drawback, it is generally proposed to use vapors from sulfur combustion. However, such a treatment is not ideal and can ultimately cause problems in the consumer, ranging from headaches and nausea to vomiting. It has also been proposed to use carbonic acid to replace air. Here again, this gas is partially absorbed by the wine, to the detriment of its quality.

[0014] The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, by proposing an alternative means to protect wine from its contact with oxygen.

[0015] The objective of the invention is therefore to propose a device to protect wine during aging from alterations produced by oxygen.

[0016] Also, the invention relates to a device for sealing a leak-proof container for liquid, characterized in that it comprises:

[0017] - a plug body intended to be inserted into a bung of said container, said the stopper body being essentially frustoconical made of an elastomeric material, said stopper body having a tubular conduit passing through said stopper body,

[0018] - a hollow tube mounted in the tubular conduit of said plugging body and cooperating in a hermetic manner with said closure body, said hollow tube having an upper orifice open to the outside of the container and a lower orifice, said hollow tube having, near the lower orifice, an annular shoulder against which the closure body rests, said hollow tube having a clamping means near the upper orifice, said clamping means being axially movable along said hollow tube, and

[0019] - and an inflatable element sealing the lower opening of said hollow tube, so that the air passing through the hollow tube does not penetrate inside the container, when said capping device is positioned in said bung hole.

[0020] The invention is based on the surprising observation that if a container is hermetically sealed with a watertight stopper and is fitted with a balloon, or an inflatable element, when the liquid evaporates, the balloon inflates to occupy the volume released by evaporation. The balloon thus inflates as the wine evaporates, and the wall of the balloon therefore remains in contact with the wine remaining in the container. Consequently, there is no contact between the wine and the air, or the oxygen in the air, which therefore does not affect the qualities of the wine.

[0021] By elastomeric material, we mean a material which has the properties of an elastomer, that is to say which can withstand a very large deformation (> 100%) almost totally reversible.

[0022] As explained below, the sealing device consists of a flexible elastomeric body mounted on a hollow tube. The flexible body abuts against a shoulder formed on the hollow tube. At the other end of the tube, a clamping means is positioned which will clamp the flexible body so that the latter is crushed or compressed between the clamping means and the shoulder.

[0023] Advantageously, the device includes a sealing element between the clamping means and the closure body, thereby increasing the seal. It is important that the container be sealed very tightly to allow the balloon to inflate by vacuum during the evaporation of the liquid inside the container.

[0024] Advantageously, the sealing body of the aforementioned device is made of silicone. The use of this material is advantageous because of its flexibility which allows the plugging device to adhere completely to the plug and create a seal.

[0025] Even more advantageously, the inflatable element is held at the lower opening of said hollow tube by means of a clamping element. This clamping element serves to secure the inflatable element or balloon to the hollow tube so that it does not detach from said tube during the depression, due to evaporation.

[0026] Advantageously, said inflatable element is made of a liquid- and gas-tight material. Indeed, it is unsuitable for liquid or gas, and in particular air, to be able to pass through the membrane of the inflatable element, whereby the depression could occur.

[0027] The liquid- and gas-tight material is also advantageously compatible with human consumption and can come into contact with a liquid, in particular wine. The nature of this material therefore does not influence the organoleptic qualities of the liquid contained in the container.

[0028] The invention further relates to the use of a device as defined above, to limit the oxidation of wine during barrel aging.

[0029] Due to the absence of air in the container, either because the container is completely filled or after partial evaporation through contact with the inflatable element which will have inflated to occupy the free volume of liquid resulting from evaporation, the wine in the barrel will not be in contact with atmospheric oxygen throughout its aging process. Therefore, there will be no oxidation due to evaporation.

[0030] In other words, it is the use of a device such as described above, to preserve the quality of the wine during aging despite evaporation or angel's share.

[0031] The invention also relates to a container for liquid, comprising:

[0032] - a substantially cylindrical open rigid frame made up of a plurality of wooden staves joined end-to-end by means of at least one hoop which serves as a rim across the staves; said frame defining an upper opening and a lower opening, one of the staves having a bung

[0033] and

[0034] - a closing piece for the upper end, and a closing piece for the lower end, positioned respectively at the level of the upper opening and the lower opening,

[0035] characterized in that the drain has a device as defined above, said device plugging said drain.

[0036] The internal surface of the plurality of staves is treated by a heat source, or heating which can be achieved either by a steam source or by heating with a brazier.

[0037] This heat treatment, or organoleptic heating, aims to impart to each stave the aromas desired to be given to the wine. The type of aroma transferred from the barrel to the wine depends on the degree and nature of the heating.

[0038] During this heating process, the container can be placed on a brazier so that the heat reaches each stave and is evenly distributed. An average heating lasts approximately 20 minutes, then the cooper turns it over to heat the other side of the barrel.

[0039] Temperature and heating time play a very important role. An extra minute can impart other aromatic notes to the cask.

[0040] In addition to their effect on eugenol reduction, ceramic heads provide greater rigidity and durability than wooden heads on "traditional" barrels, which tend to warp over time. The ease of maintenance and cleaning of ceramic heads is also a significant advantage compared to wooden heads.

[0041] Finally, the use of ceramics facilitates projects for decorating the bottoms of the bottoms (typical decorations on porcelain for example), allowing the barrels to be differentiated according to the cooperage or the area of ​​origin.

[0042] Advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned container, where the internal surface of the upper end closure piece, and of the lower end closure piece, represents 20 to 30% of the total internal surface of the container, said total surface being defined by the internal surface of the plurality of staves and the internal surface of the upper end closure piece, and of the lower end closure piece.

[0043] By "20 to 30% of the total internal surface of the container", in the invention means an area of ​​the internal part of the closing pieces which represents 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30% of the internal surface of the container, this internal surface being defined by the sum of the areas of the two closing pieces and the staves, exposed towards the inside of said container.

[0044] More advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned container, where the upper end closure piece, and the lower end closure piece, are circular in shape and exhibit a concave deformation towards the inside of the container when positioned on the rigid frame.

[0045] The inward concave deformation of the container strengthens the closure piece, particularly when the closure piece is positioned at the lower end of the container. Indeed, under the pressure generated by the mass of liquid contained within the container, it is necessary to provide a shape adapted to this pressure.

[0046] More advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned container, where the concave deformation creates a deformation of 5 to 15mm with respect to the plane defined by the edges of the closure piece.

[0047] Depending on the pressure that will be applied to the closing piece at the lower end, it may be necessary to have a more or less pronounced concave deformation; advantageously, this deformation is 0.5 to 1.5 cm relative to the plane defined by the edges of the closing piece.

[0048] This means that the deformation can be 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 or 1.5 cm relative to the plane defined by the edges of the closing piece.

[0049] More advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned container, where the staves are obtained from raw wood.

[0050] Advantageously, the container is such that the upper end closure piece and the lower end closure piece are made of a ceramic material, in particular porcelain, stoneware or porcelain stoneware.

[0051] Porcelain is a fine, translucent ceramic which, when produced from kaolin by firing at over 1200 °C, is more accurately called hard-paste porcelain. It is primarily composed of a mixture of quartz, feldspar, and kaolin, with the addition of bail clay to increase its plasticity. The quartz and feldspar are ground into powder by granite grinding wheels, then milled in a rotating cylinder containing pebbles and water. The feldspar lowers the vitrification point of the porcelain during firing.

[0052] Stoneware or porcelain stoneware is, in pottery, a ceramic material characterized by very high hardness and excellent resistance to chemical or climatic attack. This resistance is obtained by firing a paste, generally composed of clay mixed with fine sand grains, at a temperature exceeding 1200 °C.

[0053] The advantage of sandstone over wood is that it does not transmit any taste to the liquids with which it comes into contact.

[0054] Sandstone is less porous and denser than terracotta because it is fired at a higher temperature. This makes it more suitable for aging white wines, which need to be more protected from oxygen to retain their brightness and freshness.

[0055] The invention also relates to the use of a container as defined above, to reduce the presence of eugenol in a liquid stored in said container.

[0056] The invention also relates to the use of a closure part of a wooden container, said closure part being made of a stoneware or porcelain material, to reduce the presence of eugenol in a liquid stored in said container.

[0057] Even more advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned container, said container having a volume of at least 200 litres

[0058] The container according to the invention can be defined as a "Bordeaux barrel," with a volume of 225 L, and which has a slender and narrow bung. The container can also be a "Burgundy barrel" of 228 L, with a bulbous and ample bung.

[0059] Drums of 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700 or 820 L are also drums according to the invention. These examples are given only as an illustration and shall in no way limit the scope of the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0060] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0061] [Fig-1] is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the device of the invention in two states: - AI: when the inflatable element is not inflated, and - IB: when the inflatable element is inflated.

[0062] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the device of the invention.

[0063] [Fig.3] is a top view of the device - 3A: according to the first embodiment - 3B: according to the second embodiment.

[0064] [Fig.4] is a bottom view of the device.

[0065] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the hollow tube.

[0066] [Fig.6] is a schematic perspective representation of the hollow tube.

[0067] [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of the device before its positioning on the container.

[0068] [Fig.8] is a schematic representation of the device positioned on the container.

[0069] [Fig.9] is a schematic representation of the device positioned on the container, and where the body is compressed by the clamping element.

[0070] [Fig. 10] is a schematic representation of a wooden barrel equipped with the device of the invention.

[0071] [Fig. 11] is a schematic representation of the device positioned on the container filled with liquid.

[0072] [Fig. 12] is a schematic representation of the device positioned on the container filled with liquid, and which has undergone evaporation. Detailed description

[0073] With reference to [Fig. 1], a device 1 according to the invention is shown. The device consists of a frustoconical plug body 11, the base of which has a diameter smaller than that of the upper part. The diameter of the base is smaller than that of a bung 3 of barrel 10, while the upper part has a diameter greater than that of the bung 3, so that when the device 1 according to the invention is inserted into the bung 3, the device 1 cannot enter entirely into the barrel 10, and therefore be lost.

[0074] Advantageously, the diameter of the base is 35 to 45 mm, in particular 40 mm, while the diameter of the upper part is 55 to 65 mm, in particular 60 mm. The stopper body has a height of 35 to 45 mm, in particular 40 mm. These dimensions can obviously be modified proportionally according to the barrel or container used and the corresponding bung 3.

[0075] The stopper body 11 has a tubular conduit 4 which extends longitudinally from the upper part of the stopper body 11 to the base of the stopper body 11, so as to be able to receive a hollow tube 5. This tubular conduit 4 is positioned along the face of the stopper body 11, and advantageously has a diameter of about 20 mm.

[0076] The hollow tube 5 is mounted in the tubular conduit 4 of the plug body 11, such that the outer walls of said hollow tube 5 are in close contact with the walls of the tubular conduit 4. This is particularly facilitated by the elastomeric material of the plug body 11. It is therefore particularly advantageous either for the outer diameter of the hollow tube 5 and the diameter of the tubular conduit 4 to be equal, or for the diameter of the tubular conduit 4 to be smaller than that of the hollow tube 5. In the latter case, due to the flexibility of the plug body 11's material, the hollow tube will be pressed firmly into the tubular conduit 4, creating such a strong connection between the two parts that the system will be leak-proof. It should be noted that it is essential that neither air nor liquids can pass between the outer walls of the hollow tube 5 and those of the tubular conduit 4.

[0077] Insofar as the tube 5 is hollow, two openings are defined in said tube 5: a high opening 51, or high orifice 51, and a low opening 52, or low orifice 52.

[0078] The top / bottom orientation of the hollow tube 5 is defined by the presence of an annular shoulder 53. This annular shoulder 53 is positioned in the so-called lower part of the hollow tube 5 near the lower orifice 52. In fact, the other part of the hollow tube 5, near the orifice opposite the lower orifice 52, that is to say the upper orifice 51, is called the upper part of the hollow tube 5.

[0079] Due to the presence of a shoulder 53, the device 1 is mounted by inserting the hollow tube 5 into the tubular conduit 4 through the base of the plugging body 11.

[0080] The stopper body 11 comes to rest against the annular shoulder 53. The hollow tube 5 is such that, once positioned in the tubular conduit 4 and when the stopper body 11 is at the end of its travel against the annular shoulder 53, only a part of the upper end of the hollow tube 5 and part of the lower end of the hollow tube 5 protrude from the stopper body 11.

[0081] The upper part of the hollow tube near the upper orifice 51 may, in particular, be threaded.

[0082] A clamping means 6 is mounted on the upper part of the hollow tube 5, this clamping means 6 being axially movable along said hollow tube 5, between the upper orifice 51 and the upper part of the plug body 11. This clamping means 6 is, in particular, a nut, which screws onto the thread provided in the upper part of the hollow tube 5.

[0083] Finally, the device 1 is completed by an inflatable element 7 which closes the lower orifice 52, so that the air, or liquids, passing through the hollow tube 5 from the upper orifice 51 to the lower orifice 52, will be trapped in the inflatable element 7. This inflatable element is threaded from the lower part of the hollow tube 5. The inflatable element, which can be a balloon bladder for example, is fixed to the lower part of the hollow tube 5 in a separable or fixed manner, for example by gluing, due to its own elasticity, or in a manner not shown in [Fig. 1], using one or more clamping rings or similar system.

[0084] Figure IA represents device 1 when inflatable element 7 is not inflated, and Figure IB represents device 1 when inflatable element 7 is inflated.

[0085] Referring now to [Fig.2], another embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention is shown, substantially identical to that shown in [Fig.1] and further comprising a sealing element 61, positioned between the clamping means 6 and the plugging body 11. This sealing element 61 also serves to facilitate clamping by the clamping means 6, on which it rests.

[0086] Figure 3 shows a top view of the device 1, and in particular Figure 3A shows a top view of a first embodiment of the device 1, and Figure 3B shows a second embodiment of the device 1 comprising a sealing element 61. It can be seen from Figure 3B that the diameter of the sealing element 61 is larger than that of the clamping means 6. The diameter of the sealing element 61 can vary from more than the diameter of the clamping means to the diameter of the upper part of the plug body 11, without exceeding it.

[0087] An advantageous depression can be provided in the plug body 11 into which the sealing element 61 is inserted, so that in profile view, said sealing element 61 is not visible.

[0088] Fig. 4 represents a top view of the device 1, and in particular Figure 4A represents the underside of the plugging body showing the tubular conduit 4, and Figure 4B shows the shoulder 53 against which the plugging body 11 abuts. Figures 5 and 6 respectively represent a side view and a perspective side view of the hollow tube 5, on which the clamping means 6 is positioned. The shoulder 53 is also shown.

[0089] Fig. 7 represents the device 1 before it is positioned in the drain 3 of a container 10 intended to be sealed by said device 1. The container 10 is shown partially and only the wall 101 pierced by the drain 3 is shown.

[0090] Fig. 8 represents the device 1 positioned in the plug 3 of a container 10 intended to be sealed tightly by said device 1. This figure represents the device before the clamping means 6 has been actuated, so that there may still be an exchange of air and liquid through the plug.

[0091] Figure 9 shows the device 1 positioned in the bung 3 of a container 10 intended to be hermetically sealed by said device 1, where the clamping means 6 has been actuated. Due to the actuation of the clamping means 6, axial pressure is exerted on the sealing body 11, causing compression and deformation of the elastomeric material constituting it. As shown in the figure, due to the compression (or crushing), the sealing body 11 will deform and hermetically seal the bung, so that neither air nor liquid can pass through the bung once the device 1 is positioned.

[0092] With reference to [Fig. 10], a container 10 is shown consisting of a plurality of staves 8 forming a rigid frame 9 that is essentially cylindrical with a circular cross-section. The staves 8 are joined together to form the rigid frame 9 by means of several rings 12, often made of galvanized steel, fixed by means of rivets.

[0093] An advantageous container 10 in the invention comprises 28 to 32 staves 8. One of these staves can be pierced to form a bung 3, which can be closed using a device 1. The steel hoops 12 joining the staves 8 also serve to give the final shape of the container 10, in addition to the heating operations. These steel hoops can have a specific name: for example, the hoop 122 closest to the bung 6 is called the "bung hoop" 122. The more distant hoop 124 is called the "neck." The hoops 43 at the ends of the container 1 are called "head hoops" (at the end of the barrel) 123.

[0094] At the upper end of the container 10 is positioned a concave-shaped closure piece 131. This closure piece 131 is positioned axially on the container 10 within a chamfer formed in the upper and lower parts of each stave 8. Advantageously, the closure piece 131 (but also the lower closure piece not visible in the figure) has a thickness of 12 to 18 mm, preferably 15 mm.

[0095] Figure 11 schematically represents a container 10 filled with liquid, comprising a bung 3 in which the device 1 of the invention is positioned. The inflatable element 7 is not inflated since all the liquid occupies the available volume in the container 10.

[0096] Figure 12 schematically represents a container 10 filled with liquid comprising a drain 3 in which the device 1 of the invention is positioned. However, compared to [Fig. 1 1], the liquid has partially evaporated, without the container 10 having been opened. The inflatable element 7 of the device 1 is then inflated by vacuum and occupies the volume evaporated by the liquid. The wall of the inflatable element 7 is then in contact with the liquid, thus preventing interaction with the air, and in particular with atmospheric oxygen.

[0097] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will be obvious to a person skilled in the art. Examples

[0098] Manufacture of a 228L wooden container according to the invention

[0099] Two important parts constitute the 228L drum 10:

[0100] - The staves 8 (on average 28 to 32 pieces) form the body, that is to say the barrel hull 10;

[0101] - The fund pieces (131).

[0102] The galvanized rings 12 allow the staves 8 to be held together.

[0103] To go from the stave to the hull stave, here are the operations to follow:

[0104] 1- Ebrokerage:

[0105] The staves are given the chosen length. They must, naturally, all be of the same length.

[0106] 2- Shaping:

[0107] Which comprises four operations: doming, excavation, arrow scaling, and jointing

[0108] - doming consists of giving the external rounding which corresponds to the circumference of the was

[0109] - the hollowing: it is the inside of the stave that will be hollowed out

[0110] - arrow swaging is a delicate operation which gives the stave of the arrow or the pointed. Starting from the center, a progressively thicker layer of wood is removed from the sides of the stave, reaching one to two centimeters at the ends, depending on the desired camber of the barrel. The stave thus appears as two spindles joined end to end. During this operation, all defects, knots, and the presence of sapwood will be eliminated.

[0111] - Jointing: this delicate task will consist of passing each stave over the dove to regularize the design of each joint, while respecting the camber, the template and the slope.

[0112] 3- Characteristics of the staves and first assembly operation: the dress (or the pink)

[0113] - On top, the bung stave will be quite wide (10 to 11 cm). Considering Depending on his role, the cooper's choice will lean towards a wood of high mechanical quality in particular.

[0114] - Then the first staves, which take their place on each side, will be narrow with a good thickness.

[0115] - The cooper takes the precaution of measuring the wood before assembly, holding account of the loss during tightening by fire.

[0116] 4- Bending and heating

[0117] Another important phase because it involves the dry heat of the wood fire. The barrel is presented "in its casing"

[0118] A heater will be placed inside. The diameter of the heater must be 20 to 35 cm smaller than the diameter of the end of the barrel.

[0119] At the start of the heating process, the cooper places the barrel, still in its cask, onto a winch. The winch's jaws close as the wood heats up and its temperature rises. To carry out this operation, the cooper maintains humidity on the outside of the barrel. When the tightening is complete, a retaining hoop is placed at the bottom of the barrel. The barrel is then turned over, and new mold hoops are placed on while the wood is still hot, then tightened to properly align the joints.

[0120] The second part of the toasting process constitutes the decisive heating for the barrel, called toasting. This penetrates the wood to a depth of 5 to 10 mm and develops all the aromas of the barrel, depending on the specific Argonne woodland origins. The gentle and slow toasting allows the heat to permeate the thickness of the wood.

[0121] 5-The trimming

[0122] This operation will prepare the ends of the staves for the stern heads. The cooper will simultaneously:

[0123] - the trimming which will remove the internal part of the stave heads. It will then make the Chamfer 8, angled section according to the type of barrel. The internal part will be leveled just below the chamfer to create the trim.

[0124] - the groove forms the channel that will receive the base; it measures 6 mm to 15 mm thickness

[0125] The base pieces (131) are then assembled.

[0126] The parts are assembled after stainless steel studs have been placed. A strand of reed is placed between each joint to ensure a perfect seal.

[0127] The circle is then drawn on the base, which is sawn along this line. However, 2 mm more is added to the width. This is because, during tightening, the assembly may compress widthwise but never lengthwise.

[0128] Then the internal and external cutting is carried out, which will give the necessary bevel around the bottom to fit into the groove. In our project, the perimeter of the bottom will be straight.

[0129] 7- The driving

[0130] The end hoops are removed to free the staves. A paste made from "organic" quality buckwheat flour, therefore gluten-free, and water will be placed in the bottom of the jable; this will ensure a perfect seal.

[0131] The main bottom piece is placed in the barrel directly opposite the bung stave. The barrel is tilted, and from the inside, the bottom is pushed into the hole in the barrel. Then, for the second bottom, since it cannot be done from the inside, the cooper uses a screw jack to place the bottom in its slot.

[0132] 8- The banding

[0133] The first hoops used for preparing the barrels are wide and thick. These are called "mold hoops." The hoops subsequently placed are made of galvanized strip. They are placed on the barrel and driven in using a drift. The number of hoops varies depending on the region.

[0134] Each circle can be given a name. The one near the bung, the largest, is called the "bung circle". Then the "collar", followed a few centimeters later by the "head circle" (at the end of the barrel).

[0135] Today, it is recommended to use galvanized iron rings, which are better protected against the effects of rust. These final rings are fitted after the finishing operations.

[0136] 9- The finish

[0137] The barrel is water-tested to ensure the absence of defects. For this, one Pour 20 to 30 liters of water into the barrel and shake it thoroughly. This also removes any solid particles that may be stuck to the sides. Then the barrel is inflated with air. Under the pressure and water, any defects will become apparent, causing small leaks that the cooper can then repair.

[0138] Following these operations, the barrel is only unhooked at the neck and moved to facilitate sanding of the hull, then re-hooped with the final galvanized hoops. Finally, the head hoops are fitted.

[0139] Once finalized, the sealing device according to the invention is positioned on the bung, and the seal is created by tightening the tightening means, once the wine has been stored for aging.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (1) for sealing a leak-proof container (10) for liquid, characterized in that it comprises: - a sealing body (11) intended to be inserted into a bung (3) of said container (10), said sealing body (11) being essentially frustomeric and made of an elastomeric material, said sealing body (11) having a tubular conduit (4) passing through said sealing body (11), - a hollow tube (5) mounted in the tubular conduit (4) of said sealing body (1) and cooperating in a leak-proof manner with said sealing body (1), said hollow tube (5) having an upper orifice (51) open to the outside of the container and a lower orifice (52), said hollow tube (5) having, near the lower orifice (52), an annular shoulder (53) against which the sealing body (1) presses against, said hollow tube (5) having a clamping means (6) near the upper orifice (51),said clamping means (6) being axially movable along said hollow tube (5), and - an inflatable element (7) sealing the lower orifice (52) of said hollow tube (5), so that the air passing through the hollow tube (5) does not penetrate inside the container (10), when said sealing device (1) is positioned in said bung hole (2) (3).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a sealing element (61) between the clamping means (6) and the plugging body (11).

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sealing body is made of silicone.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inflatable element (7) is held at the lower orifice (52) of said hollow tube (5) by means of a clamping element.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said inflatable element (7) is made of a liquid- and gas-tight material.

6. Use of a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, to limit the oxidation of wine during barrel aging.

7. Container (10) for liquid, comprising:

8.

9. - a rigid open frame (9) substantially cylindrical consisting of a plurality of wooden staves (8) joined end-to-end by means of at least one hoop (12) which serves edge-to-edge with the staves (8); said frame defining an upper opening (13) and a lower opening, one of the staves (8) having a bung (3), and - a closing piece at the upper end (131), and a closing piece at the lower end, positioned respectively at the upper opening (13) and the lower opening, characterized in that the drain (3) has a device (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, said device (10) closing said drain (3). Container (10) for liquid according to claim 7, wherein the upper end closure piece (131) and the lower end closure piece are made of a ceramic material, in particular porcelain, stoneware or porcelain stoneware. Container (10) for liquid according to claim 7 or claim 8, said container having a volume of at least 200 litres.