Carbonated Beverage Closure with Gas-Permeable Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for carbonated beverages fail to effectively introduce an additive liquid without causing frothing, leading to leakage issues when used with carbonated beverages due to the inability to manage pressure and gas release.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with a pressurized tank and a housing that includes a plug member and a nozzle, featuring gas-permeable apertures to vent pressure while preventing liquid passage, allowing the additive liquid to be injected in a controlled manner, minimizing disturbance and frothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pressurized additive liquid is injected into carbonated beverage, then mixing efficiency is improved, but frothing and leakage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and separates the gas venting function from the liquid containment system by providing dedicated gas permeable apertures in the housing. This allows CO2 gas to be removed from the system independently, preventing the buildup of pressure that would otherwise cause frothing and leakage when additive liquid is injected into the carbonated beverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing incorporates gas permeable apertures that selectively allow gas molecules to pass through while blocking liquid. This porous structure enables differential permeability where CO2 can escape through the apertures during additive injection, but the liquid additive and carbonated beverage remain contained, thus preventing frothing and leakage.
2Ease of operation
If plug member is withdrawn to allow additive flow, then additive injection capability is improved, but liquid leakage path is created
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the sealing function into two independent systems: a liquid seal between the plug member and tank aperture that controls additive flow, and a gas seal between the cap member and housing that prevents liquid leakage. This segmentation allows the plug member to be withdrawn for additive injection while the gas seal maintains liquid containment through the gap between cap member and housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas permeable apertures act as an intermediary structure that allows gas to pass through the housing wall while blocking liquid. This intermediary element enables the system to tolerate the gap created by plug member withdrawal without causing liquid leakage, as the gap only permits gas escape rather than liquid passage.
3Reliability
If cap member and housing are sealed tightly, then liquid containment is improved, but gas pressure buildup occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates gas permeable apertures that selectively allow gas molecules to pass through while blocking liquid. This porous structure enables differential permeability where CO2 can escape through the apertures during additive injection, but the liquid additive and carbonated beverage remain contained, thus preventing frothing and leakage.
4Stress or pressure
If gas permeable apertures are provided, then pressure management is improved, but liquid impermeability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates gas permeable apertures that selectively allow gas molecules to pass through while blocking liquid. This porous structure enables differential permeability where CO2 can escape through the apertures during additive injection, but the liquid additive and carbonated beverage remain contained, thus preventing frothing and leakage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the efficient introduction of an additive liquid into carbonated beverages without frothing or leakage, ensuring effective mixing and distribution while maintaining container integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The housing includes one or more gas permeable apertures arranged in fluid communication between the fluid path and the main liquid compartment when the closure device is in the second firing position
Implementation Method 2
the cap member includes a pressurised tank containing the additive liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A closure device for firing an additive into a carbonated beverage bottle with a neck comprises a cap member and a housing. The cap member includes a pressurised tank containing the additive and a propellant and has a bottom aperture. The housing engages with the neck and includes a plug member which engages with the bottom aperture. The cap member can be lifted relative to the housing from a first armed or closed position in which the plug member closes the bottom aperture to a second firing position in which the plug member provides a communication path from the tank through a nozzle in the plug member.