Beverage Container Base Valve Layout for Stable End-of-Keg Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing party beer kegs face issues with slow beer flow when nearly empty and rapid spoilage, and the use of high-pressure compressed gas cartridges poses safety risks and complexity in pressure regulation.
Innovation Solution
The activation device is integrated into the bottom of the container, allowing external actuation without lid obstructions, using an aerosol can-style pressure source with a control valve and outlet valve positioned for efficient beer dispensing, ensuring consistent pressure for complete beer extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-pressure compressed gas cartridge is used as a pressure source, then sufficient pressure is maintained for complete beer dispensing, but safety hazards and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful high-pressure cartridge from the system and replaces it with a pressurized canister that operates at lower, safer pressures while still providing sufficient pressure for complete beer dispensing through controlled gas release
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable pressurized canister similar to aerosol cans, which is simpler and safer than reusable high-pressure cartridges. The canister is consumed during use, eliminating the need for complex pressure regulation systems and reducing safety risks associated with refilling and maintenance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a pressure cartridge with protective housing is used, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex pressure regulation device and protective housing for a large pressure cartridge, replacing them with a simpler pressurized canister system that inherently provides safety through its design while reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurized canister is a self-contained unit that provides its own pressure regulation through its internal valve mechanism, eliminating the need for external pressure regulation devices and reducing system complexity
3Ease of operation
If the activation device is integrated into the base of the container, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional location of the activation device from the top/lid area to the base of the container. This allows the activation element to extend outward from the base, providing ergonomic accessibility while the internal components remain integrated within the container structure, balancing ease of operation with manufacturing feasibility
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
This design ensures beer is dispensed consistently to the last drop, eliminating spoilage and safety hazards by integrating the activation device into the container's base, providing a secure and efficient pressure regulation system.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure source in the form of a carbon dioxide cartridge is installed inside the container. When beer is drawn, the pressure source regulates the pressure inside the keg so that it is sufficient until the very end of the tapping process, allowing the beer to be pumped upwards via the riser pipe to the tap
Implementation Method 2
By actuating the activation device, which is accessible from the base, the control valve can be activated so that it releases gas from the pressurized container depending on the internal pressure prevailing in the container
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage container (1) for providing and dispensing a liquid comprises a base (13), a lid (15) and a dispensing device (3) for pressure-assisted dispensing of the liquid contained in the container (1), wherein a pressure canister (7) containing gas is arranged inside the container (1), to which a control valve (11) for releasing the gas into the container (1) is assigned, which can be activated from outside the housing (10) by means of an activation device (12), wherein by releasing the gas the pressure inside the housing (10) can be adjusted to a value which is required to dispense the liquid from the housing (10) regardless of the amount of liquid contained in the housing (10).The activation device (12) is installed in the base (13) of the container (1) in such a sealing manner that it extends from inside the container (1) to outside the container (1) and can be actuated from outside the container (1), after which the control valve (11) releases gas from the pressure canister (7) depending on the internal pressure prevailing in the container (1).