Beverage Container Valve Reducing Foam Trapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage containers with dispensing valves often experience excessive foaming issues, especially when the container is first opened, due to trapped foam in the head space and the lack of a riser pipe, which can lead to uncontrolled foaming during dispensing.

Innovation Solution

A container design with a smooth, sloping inner surface at the neck area to prevent foam trapping, combined with a valve assembly that can be easily mounted without clinching, and preferably without a riser pipe, to minimize foaming issues during dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a container is opened without a riser pipe, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but foam becomes trapped in the head space causing excessive foaming during dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer structureVSAvoidexcessive foaming

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inner surface of the container neck is designed with a specific local geometry - a smooth, sloping surface that directs foam toward the valve opening. This localized structural modification prevents foam trapping in the head space while maintaining the simplicity of the overall container design without requiring a riser pipe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a riser pipe is provided to prevent foam trapping, then excessive foaming is reduced, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcessive foamingVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the foam management function from a separate component (riser pipe) and integrates it directly into the container neck structure through the sloping inner surface design. This eliminates the need for additional parts while maintaining the foam prevention function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a valve is mounted using clinching method, then the valve connection is secure and reliable, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to special tools and skills required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve connectionVSAvoidvalve mounting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical clinching process with a threading connection system. The valve is attached to the container neck using threads that can be engaged with standard fastening tools, eliminating the need for specialized clinching equipment and skills while maintaining a secure and reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250187800A1Container and Valve for a Container

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN BV

AI summary

Beverage container and valve for a beverage container. Valve, comprising a base element and a snap ring or snap fingers extending there from, positioned around an opening through the base element, wherein within the snap ring or between the snap fingers a valve housing is provided, having at least one inlet opening and a spring loaded valve body, biased towards the base element and closing off the opening, wherein the valve body is operable through the opening for opening a fluid connection between the inlet opening or openings and the opening in the base element.