Bottle-Neck Clamp and Needle Dispensing Without Closure Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing systems require the removal of closures, such as corks, to extract liquids, which can introduce air and damage the container, affecting beverage quality and integrity.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing device with a clamp and needle system that secures to the container neck, allowing pressurized gas injection and liquid extraction without removing the closure, maintaining seal integrity and minimizing gas exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the closure is removed to extract beverage, then the beverage can be accessed, but air enters the container and damages beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The needle extracts only the necessary portion (beverage) from the container through the closure without removing the closure itself. This allows selective removal of liquid while leaving the sealing function intact, thus extracting the useful component while avoiding the harmful effect of air exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle acts as an intermediary element that passes through the closure to establish a fluid connection between the container interior and the dispensing system. This intermediary enables beverage extraction while the closure continues to seal the container opening, preventing direct air contact.
2Ease of operation
If the closure is removed to dispense beverage, then dispensing is enabled, but the container seal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage is extracted through the closure via needle insertion rather than removing the closure itself. This extracts the dispensing function while preserving the seal, allowing multiple dispensing operations without compromising long-term seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is inserted through the closure before dispensing begins, establishing the fluid pathway in advance. This preliminary action enables subsequent dispensing operations without requiring closure removal, maintaining seal integrity throughout the dispensing process.
3Productivity
If multiple extractions are performed, then beverage availability is improved, but repeated access damages the closure and introduces gas
Solution Approach 1:
Each extraction removes only the beverage through the needle while leaving the closure intact. This selective extraction allows repeated operations without cumulative damage to the closure, unlike removal-based methods where each extraction would further compromise the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle serves as a reusable intermediary that can be inserted and removed multiple times through the same closure without damaging it. This intermediary enables high-frequency access operations while the closure maintains its sealing function across multiple cycles.
4Productivity
If pressurized gas is introduced through the closure, then beverage flow is enabled, but the closure may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The needle acts as a robust intermediary that can withstand pressurized gas introduction. The needle's structural strength allows it to transmit high pressure from the gas source to the beverage without being damaged, while the closure remains protected from direct exposure to high-pressure gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas pressure is applied through the needle to extract and propel beverage out of the container. This directs the mechanical stress of pressurization through the needle rather than the closure, allowing high-flow-rate dispensing while preserving closure integrity.
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 multiple extractions from a sealed container without compromising beverage quality by preserving the seal and reducing gas exposure, facilitating easy and safe dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one clamp arm is spring biased to move relative to the base to exert an engagement force on the container neck
Implementation Method 2
a needle arranged to receive a flow of beverage under pressure from a beverage container
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A clamp of the dispensing device may include a container engagement surface arranged to engage and/or disengage the clamp from the container neck when the clamp is pushed downwardly or pulled upwardly relative to the container neck. The container engagement surface may include a surface with a lower portion that slopes upwardly and inwardly, and an upper portion that slopes upwardly and outwardly relative to the container neck and that moves the clamp radially outwardly and away from the container neck as the clamp is moved vertically relative to the container neck. A latch may maintain a body portion of the dispensing device in an upper position, preventing needle insertion, until a container is suitably engaged with the base portion of the device, e.g., by a clamp. Sensors may detect engagement of a container with the device and/or insertion of a needle into the container.