Compound Bung for Wine Barrels Using Tapered Elastomeric Cup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wine and spirits barrel bungs are often commodity items lacking precision, prone to cracking, and difficult to seat properly for a tight seal without being over-seated and lost inside the barrel, especially in wine and spirits aging processes where a secure yet removable seal is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A universal bung assembly featuring a glass or similar body with an enlarged head and tapered neck, combined with a tapered elastomeric cup that fits various bunghole sizes and irregularities, providing a secure seal and being easily graspable for handling, with the elastomeric cup being disposable for repeated use with different types of wine or spirits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional monolithic bungs are used, then they are simple in structure, but they are prone to cracking and difficult to seat properly for a tight seal
Solution Approach 1:
The bung is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid body (made of glass, metal, or hard plastic) and a separate elastomeric cup. The rigid body provides structural integrity and prevents cracking, while the elastomeric cup provides the sealing function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines materials with different properties: a rigid, non-resilient body material (glass, metal, hard plastic) with a resilient elastomeric material. The rigid body provides dimensional stability and resistance to cracking, while the elastomeric cup provides compliance and sealing capability, creating a composite structure that overcomes the limitations of monolithic materials.
2Reliability
If elastomeric bungs are used, then they can deform to seal, but they are easily pushed inside the barrel and difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the sealing function (elastomeric cup) from the structural function (rigid body), the design allows the rigid body to protrude from the barrel providing a hand-grippable portion, while the elastomeric cup remains seated in the bunghole providing the seal. This prevents the entire bung from being pushed inside the barrel.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric cup is designed with specific local properties: it is compressible and resilient at the sealing interface to conform to bunghole irregularities, while the rigid body provides a non-compressible gripping surface that protrudes from the barrel. This local differentiation of material properties solves both the sealing and handling requirements.
3Reliability
If precision-matched bungs are used for specific bunghole sizes, then a tight seal is achieved, but versatility across different barrel sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid body is designed with a tapered shape and standardized dimensions that can accommodate a range of bunghole sizes. The elastomeric cup is designed to be slightly larger than the rigid body, allowing it to deform and conform to various bunghole diameters and irregularities. This parameter design allows a single bung type to work across multiple barrel sizes while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal bung design where the rigid body provides a standardized interface for insertion, and the elastomeric cup adapts to various bunghole configurations. This allows the same bung design to be used across different barrel sizes and types, eliminating the need for precision-matched proprietary bungs for each specific application.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional commodity bungs are used, then they are inexpensive, but they lack precision and are considered disposable
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of the rigid body and elastomeric cup allows each component to be manufactured using optimized processes. The rigid body can be precision-manufactured using glassblowing, metalworking, or plastic injection molding techniques, while the elastomeric cup can be manufactured using cost-effective rubber molding processes. This segmentation enables precision where needed without unnecessarily increasing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric cup can be designed as a disposable component that is replaced periodically, while the rigid body serves as a permanent or long-lasting component. This allows the expensive precision rigid body to be reused many times, amortizing its cost, while the cheaper elastomeric cup absorbs the wear and tear, maintaining overall cost-effectiveness.
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 solution ensures a tight, universal seal across different barrel sizes and types, is resistant to over-seating, and allows for easy handling and multiple uses with interchangeable elastomeric cups, enhancing the durability and versatility of the bung system.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomeric material of the cup grippingly conforms to bunghole irregularities
Data Source
AI summary
Compound bung-type stopper assemblies for wine and spirits barrels, comprising a body having an enlarged head portion, a reduced, tapered neck portion and a tapered, disposable elastomeric cup that snugly fits over the neck. The taper permits the inventive compound bung to be universal in fit and the elastomeric material of the cup grippingly conforms to bunghole irregularities. The body can be re-used with multiple cups, each being dedicated to a different wine or spirit, or after the cup has worn out. Body materials are selected from any essentially low- or non-resilient material, including glass, hard plastic (such as polycarbonate), wood, metal or ceramic, and may be colored. The head may be domed or flat, and may be decorated, as by etching, embossing or painting with the winemakers or winery mark. The inventive compound bungs/bodies that are identified by such marks may be sold as collectibles or as commemorative devices.