Bottle Closure Piercing Mechanism for Mixed Drink Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers face inconvenience and additional costs when purchasing mixed drinks in one-way disposable bottles, as they need to buy separate bottles and mix contents in a third container, and existing technologies do not provide a convenient method for producing a variety of mixed drinks without incurring a deposit fee.

Innovation Solution

A beverage bottle with a disc-shaped opening element featuring a circular cutting edge piercing mechanism and an elastic latching lug allows for easy opening and secure connection with another bottle, enabling the production of mixed drinks by piercing the sealing film with minimal technical effort, using the pouring spout of another bottle or a similar object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If consumers purchase separate bottles for mixing components, then they can avoid deposit fees and create customized mixed drinks, but they need to use a third container for mixing and face additional inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to create customized mixed drinksVSAvoidConvenience of mixing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mixing function with the bottle structure by providing a receiving cavity in the closure that can accommodate a second bottle. This allows the mixing process to occur directly within the first bottle system, eliminating the need for a separate mixing container and simplifying the overall operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by allowing a second bottle to be placed inside the receiving cavity of the first bottle's closure. This nested arrangement enables the contents of the second bottle to be transferred into the first bottle through the piercing mechanism, creating a compact integrated mixing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a piercing mechanism is provided on the opening element, then the bottle can be easily opened with minimal technical effort, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of opening the bottleVSAvoidComplexity of the opening element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The opening element serves multiple functions: it acts as a closure component, provides a piercing mechanism for opening the seal, and forms part of the receiving cavity structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The piercing mechanism is designed to be activated by the user's own action of pressing the closure onto the second bottle. The opening element performs the piercing function automatically through this pressing motion, eliminating the need for separate opening tools or complex activation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If elastic latching lugs are provided on the opening element, then a secure audible connection is established between bottles, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSecurity of bottle connectionVSAvoidManufacturing complexity of the closure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The latching lugs are integrated directly into the opening element structure, combining the latching function with the existing closure component. This integration avoids the need for separate latching mechanisms and reduces the overall manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable connection between bottles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic latching lugs automatically engage with the bottle neck through elastic deformation when the closure is pressed onto the bottle. This self-latching mechanism provides secure connection and audible feedback without requiring manual adjustment or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables consumers to conveniently and hygienically produce a variety of mixed drinks using individual deposit-free components, such as fruit juices and spirits, by creating a secure and audible connection between bottles, reducing waste and deposit fees while enhancing the 'fun factor' for users.

Implementation Method 1

a piercing means provided on the side of the opening element facing the sealing means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

at least one elastic latching lug provided on the side of the opening element facing away from the piercing means for latchingly receiving a pouring or drinking spout of another bottle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2096046B1Drink bottle and system for creating a mixed drink
Publication Date: 2011.03.30 JAHN ARNOLD
  • EP2096046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2096046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2096046B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The beverage bottle (6) has a pouring opening, which is tightly closed by a piercing sealing unit, particularly a film. A bottle cap (7) is provided with an opening element arranged in the extension of the pouring opening, which pierces the sealing material by axial pressure exertion in the direction of the pouring opening by a piercing unit for opening the beverage bottle. The piercing unit is provided on a side of the opening element facing the sealing unit. An independent claim is included for a system for producing a cocktail.