Container Neck Clamp and Needle Dispensing for Closure-Sealed Bottles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing systems often require removal of closures from containers, allowing air and other gases to enter, which can damage the beverage and affect quality, especially when dispensing wine from bottles.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing device with a needle that can be inserted through the closure of a container to introduce pressurized gas and extract beverage without removing the closure, using a clamp to secure the device to the container and sensors to control gas and beverage flow based on container orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the closure is removed from the container to dispense beverage, then the beverage can be accessed and dispensed, but air and other gases enter the container which can damage the beverage and affect quality
Solution Approach 1:
A needle serves as an intermediary component that pierces through the closure to create a controlled passage for beverage extraction. This intermediary structure allows beverage access while maintaining the closure's sealing function, preventing air and gas contamination during dispensing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage extraction system extracts only the necessary component (beverage) through the needle passage while leaving the closure in place. This selective extraction approach enables beverage removal without removing the closure, thereby preventing harmful factors from entering the container
2Productivity
If the closure is removed to access beverage multiple times, then repeated dispensing is possible, but the closure may be damaged or compromised affecting future storage
Solution Approach 1:
The needle acts as a reusable intermediary that can be inserted and removed multiple times through the closure without damaging it. This allows repeated dispensing operations while preserving the closure's seal integrity for long-term storage between extractions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sealing by maintaining the closure in place before each dispensing operation. This preliminary protective action ensures the closure remains intact and functional for subsequent use, enabling multiple dispensing cycles without compromising reliability
3Ease of operation
If pressurized gas is introduced into the container to extract beverage, then beverage can be dispensed without removing closure, but excessive gas may damage the beverage
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors detect container orientation and provide feedback to the control system, which regulates pressurized gas introduction accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures gas is introduced only when appropriate (e.g., container in correct orientation), enabling beverage extraction while preventing excessive gas introduction that could damage the beverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (gas pressure, flow rate) based on container orientation detected by sensors. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves effective beverage extraction while minimizing the risk of gas damage to the beverage
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 dispensings from a sealed bottle without compromising beverage quality, maintaining a seal and minimizing gas introduction, allowing for extended storage and efficient dispensing control.
Implementation Method 1
the needle may be passed through a cork or other closure of the container to both introduce pressurized gas into the container and receive beverage from the container
Implementation Method 2
the at least one clamp arm may be spring biased to move relative to the base to exert an engagement force on the container neck
Data Source
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.