Cork Permeability Test Cell with Minimized Collection Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the permeability of thick stoppers, such as cork or synthetic material stoppers, are not suitable due to their thickness, which limits gas collection and requires expensive and fragile oxygen detectors, and involves labor-intensive assembly and disassembly of measurement devices.
Innovation Solution
A test cell design with a cylindrical packaging bell, distribution plate, and collection plate that minimizes gas collection volume, using widely available sensors and allowing for easy sample placement, reducing handling costs and experimental artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional membrane measurement methods are used for thick stoppers, then measurement setup is simplified, but gas collection quantity becomes insufficient due to stopper thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a test cell for sample placement, a gas collection system with minimized dead volume, and a sensor detection system. This segmentation allows optimization of each module independently, particularly the gas collection volume which is minimized to enhance detection sensitivity for thick stoppers
Solution Approach 2:
A specialized test cell acts as an intermediary between the thick stopper sample and the gas sensor. The test cell design with minimized internal volume serves as a mediator that concentrates the permeated gas molecules, enabling effective measurement despite the low gas quantity that passes through thick stoppers
2Measurement precision
If expensive oxygen detectors are used to measure permeability through thick stoppers, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but device cost and fragility increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive specialized oxygen detectors, the system uses standard pressure sensors to detect gas pressure changes. The measurement approach copies the functional outcome (detecting gas permeation) through a different, more accessible sensing mechanism that measures pressure differential rather than direct gas composition
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces electrochemical oxygen detection with a mechanical pressure measurement approach. By measuring pressure differential across the stopper sample using standard pressure sensors, the system achieves permeability measurement without requiring fragile and expensive oxygen-specific detectors
3Adaptability or versatility
If modified bottle necks are used for measurement, then sample testing is enabled, but assembly and disassembly becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The test cell is designed as a universal fixture that can accommodate various stopper types and bottle neck configurations. The standardized interface with centering hollows and sealing surfaces allows the same cell to test different samples without requiring custom-modified bottle necks for each measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The test cell incorporates pre-designed centering hollows and sealing surfaces that automatically position and seal the sample in place. This preliminary preparation of the measurement interface eliminates the need for labor-intensive artisanal cutting and modification of bottle necks, as the cell is pre-configured to receive samples
4Reliability
If dummy bottle necks are disconnected and reconnected for each measurement, then detector saturation is avoided, but handling time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor remains continuously connected to the test cell throughout the measurement process, eliminating repeated connection and disconnection operations. The sensor can continuously monitor pressure differential without risk of saturation, maintaining reliable detection while reducing handling time and operational complexity
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 reliable and reproducible gas permeability measurements of thick stoppers with reduced operator manipulation and shorter test times, using standard sensors and simpler assembly, while minimizing the volume of the collection conduit.
Implementation Method 1
a test cell making it possible to apply, on either side of a stopper, conditions of vacuum and/or pressure of certain gases
Implementation Method 2
apply, on either side of a stopper, conditions of vacuum and/or pressure of certain gases, necessary for measuring the permeability
Implementation Method 3
measuring the permeability to oxygen, which on entering the bottle or the jar can oxidize the food or drink contained therein
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The cell (30) has a gas-tight collection plate (29) assembled with a sample holder in a watertight manner so as to cover an output opening (152). An axial cylindrical pipe (100) of the holder includes an interior bearing surface i.e. revolution surface, comprising a small diameter section whose diameter is lower than that of other sections of the bearing surface. A truncated surface portion of the pipe converges toward the small diameter section, where a bearing surface portion is divergent on a side opposed from the small diameter section. An independent claim is also included for a stopper support and test cell assembly.