Jar sealing and unsealing device

An apparatus for forming an airtight seal between a metal lid and ajar, comprising:

• a cap formed from a rigid material, said cap having a top surface, said cap formed with a first internal thread positioned for engagement with a corresponding external thread on said jar;
• a circumferential cap skirt attached to said cap, said cap skirt attached to said cap all the way around an outer edge of said cap, said cap skirt formed from a flexible material different from said rigid material of said cap, said flexible material soft enough to form an airtight seal against a circumferential ridge formed on said jar, said cap skirt formed with a second internal thread positioned for engagement with said external thread on said jar, said cap skirt extending to an open bottom side of said apparatus, and said cap not extending to said open bottom side;
• a vacuum port formed in said top surface, said vacuum port in fluid communication with a plenum formed by said cap and said cap skirt, and said vacuum port surrounded by said flexible material;
• a lid press extending from said cap into said plenum, said lid press positioned to limit displacement of said lid into said plenum;
• and
• a prying plate attached to said cap;
• wherein, when said cap skirt is positioned on said jar for forming said airtight seal, said cap is interposed between said cap skirt and said external thread on said jar, said cap does not extend to said circumferential ridge, said cap skirt is in contact with said circumferential ridge, and said airtight seal is formed between said cap skirt and said circumferential ridge.