Corkscrew Detection Assembly for Bottle Opening Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bottle security devices can be tampered with or replaced without being opened, and they do not facilitate easy management of a wine cellar inventory, as they are limited to authentication and do not provide evidence of actual bottle opening.

Innovation Solution

A corkscrew with a detection assembly that includes sensors to verify the effective opening of bottles by measuring displacement, force, and rotation, which updates the bottle's status in a database, and a base for powering the corkscrew with low-energy communication modules for efficient data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional security devices (caps, labels) are used to authenticate bottles, then bottle authentication is enabled, but they cannot verify actual opening and can be tampered with or replaced without opening the bottle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebottle opening verificationVSAvoidsecurity device functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the corkscrew extraction mechanism with a detection assembly that includes sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, force sensor) and a processing unit. This merging transforms a simple opening tool into an integrated system that simultaneously performs extraction and verification functions, resolving the contradiction by consolidating multiple functions into one device rather than using separate security devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical security devices (caps, labels, invisible symbols) with an electronic detection system using sensors and a processing unit. The detection assembly uses electronic sensors to detect extraction events and communicates results digitally, substituting mechanical authentication methods with electronic verification that provides more reliable opening confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual inventory management is used for wine cellars, then simplicity is maintained, but time consumption and complexity increase with large numbers of bottles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management efficiencyVSAvoidtime for managing bottle additions and removals

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detection assembly provides automatic feedback about bottle opening events to a database or inventory system. When the corkscrew extracts a stopper, the sensors detect the event and communicate it digitally, automatically updating inventory records without requiring manual tracking. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by automating inventory updates, significantly improving productivity while reducing the time loss associated with manual management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service inventory management where the corkscrew itself performs the tracking and reporting functions. The detection assembly automatically detects extraction events, processes the data, and communicates it to the inventory system without requiring human intervention for each bottle opening, allowing the system to manage itself and resolve the time-consuming nature of manual inventory keeping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If security devices are placed on bottle necks for authentication, then bottle identification is enabled, but the devices do not provide evidence of actual opening and can be modified irreversibly without opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection and verification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection assembly is segmented into multiple independent sensors (accelerometer for motion detection, gyroscope for rotation detection, force sensor for extraction force measurement) rather than using a single complex sensor. This segmentation allows each sensor to specialize in detecting specific aspects of the extraction event, improving measurement precision while keeping individual sensor complexity manageable. The processing unit then integrates data from all sensors to make a definitive opening determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11989604B2Corkscrew with confirmation of opening of an authenticated bottle

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 UWINE

AI summary

A corkscrew includes a detection assembly configured to detect that a cork has been extracted from the neck of a bottle and thus guarantee that said bottle has actually been opened. Advantageously, this corkscrew is equipped with a reader device to read a security device associated with the bottle that is to be opened, uniquely authenticate this bottle, and provide stock control thereof. Also provided is an assembly including such a corkscrew and a charging base powering the battery of this corkscrew, this base being able to includes a reader device for reading security devices of a plurality of bottles positioned in its area of coverage so as to provide stock control of a cellar.