Beverage Container Pressure Regulation Through Gas-Permeable Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure regulators for beverage containers fail to maintain optimal pressure regulation across varying temperatures and gas content, leading to over or under saturation of gas, and undesired pressure fluctuations during use.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulator system with a first compartment containing pressurized gas and a second compartment separated by a gas-permeable, liquid-tight permeable wall part, allowing gas to slowly equilibrate between the compartments to adjust to temperature changes and maintain pressure within a predetermined range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional pressure regulator with a sealed regulating chamber is used, then the pressure regulation is stable and predictable, but the regulator cannot adapt to temperature changes and beverage equilibrium pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gas-permeable membrane (porous material) to separate the regulating chamber from the beverage compartment. This membrane allows CO2 gas to slowly permeate through it, enabling the regulating chamber pressure to gradually adapt to temperature changes and beverage equilibrium pressure variations while maintaining reliable pressure regulation. The porous structure facilitates gas exchange without compromising the stability of the pressure control mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the regulating chamber is completely sealed, then pressure regulation remains consistent, but gas cannot equilibrate with temperature changes leading to over or under saturation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a complex system with multiple openings and valves, the patent uses a gas-permeable membrane that inherently provides selective gas transport. This single-component solution allows CO2 to slowly equilibrate between the regulating chamber and beverage compartment while maintaining a relatively simple regulator structure. The membrane's porous nature enables passive gas diffusion driven by partial pressure gradients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical valve systems with a passive permeable membrane system. Rather than using mechanical openings and closings to control gas flow, the system relies on the physical property of gas permeation through the membrane, driven by partial pressure differences. This substitution simplifies the device structure while achieving the desired gas equilibration function.
3Speed
If gas can freely move between compartments, then pressure adapts quickly to changes, but liquid ingress causes malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-permeable membrane provides selective permeability based on molecular size and solubility properties. CO2 gas molecules can pass through the porous structure, while liquid beverage components are blocked due to their larger size and different interaction with the membrane material. This creates a natural filtration effect that enables fast gas pressure adaptation while ensuring liquid tightness and preventing beverage ingress into the regulating chamber.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a predetermined pressure setting is used, then the regulator is simple to manufacture, but it cannot maintain optimal pressure across varying temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-permeable membrane enables passive temperature compensation without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms or multiple pressure settings. As temperature changes affect both the beverage and gas in the regulating chamber, the permeable membrane allows gradual pressure equalization, automatically adapting the pressure setting to maintain optimal carbonation across different temperatures. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving temperature adaptability.
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 system effectively maintains pressure equilibrium by allowing gas to slowly exchange through a permeable wall, ensuring consistent pressure regulation despite temperature changes and beverage dispensing, preventing liquid ingress, and minimizing pressure fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
the second compartment comprises a wall part formed by or comprising at least a gas permeable, liquid tight permeable wall part
Implementation Method 2
a pressure regulator operative for opening the closure for allowing gas to enter into the beverage compartment from the gas container. The pressure regulator comprises a regulating chamber having at least a wall part movable based on a pressure difference between the beverage compartment and regulating chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure regulating system for a beverage container system, comprising a first compartment for containing a pressurized, in fluid communication with a surrounding space through at least a gas valve for opening and closing a passage between the first compartment and surrounding space, wherein a gas valve control system is provided, comprising a deformable and/or movable wall or wall part, wherein said deformable and/or movable wall part is operably in contact with said gas valve for opening and/or closing said gas valve, wherein a second compartment is provided at a side of the said deformable and/or movable wall part, said movable and/or deformable wall part forming a wall of said second compartment, wherein the second compartment forms a pressure regulating space and comprises a wall part formed by or comprising at least a gas permeable, liquid tight permeable wall part.