Dual-Lumen Needle for Sealed Beverage Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dispensing beverages from sealed containers, such as wine bottles, often require removal of the closure or introduce reactive gases, leading to potential damage or quality degradation of the beverage.
Innovation Solution
A needle with a dual lumen design, featuring a larger first lumen for beverage extraction and a smaller second lumen for gas introduction, allows for pressurized gas injection and beverage dispensing without removing the cork, maintaining the seal and preventing gas ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the closure is removed to dispense beverage, then beverage can be accessed, but the closure is damaged and beverage quality degrades due to exposure to reactive gases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into two functional zones: an outer peripheral seal portion that remains intact and maintains the seal, and a central access region that allows needle penetration for beverage dispensing. This segmentation enables beverage access without compromising the overall closure integrity or exposing the beverage to reactive gases.
2Productivity
If a single large opening is made through the closure for beverage dispensing, then beverage flow is efficient, but the closure cannot reseal and reactive gases enter the container
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage dispensing function is segmented into two separate lumens: a first lumen for efficient beverage withdrawal and a second lumen for gas introduction. This segmentation allows the closure to reseal around both lumens after penetration, maintaining seal integrity while enabling continuous beverage dispensing through the first lumen.
Solution Approach 2:
A second lumen acts as an intermediary channel that introduces inert gas into the container to replace the volume of dispensed beverage. This prevents vacuum formation and allows the closure to maintain its seal around both lumens, enabling the closure to reseal properly after penetration.
3Speed
If pressurized gas is introduced to enhance beverage flow, then dispensing speed increases, but reactive gases may be introduced if the closure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The second lumen serves as a dedicated intermediary pathway for introducing pressurized inert gas into the container. This separate gas introduction channel allows controlled gas pressurization to enhance beverage flow speed through the first lumen without compromising the closure seal or allowing reactive gases to contact the beverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes an inert gas introduced through the second lumen to create an inert atmosphere within the container during beverage dispensing. This inert environment prevents oxidative reactions with the beverage while the pressurized gas drives efficient beverage flow through the first lumen, simultaneously achieving high speed and preventing harmful reactions.
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 affecting beverage quality, as the cork remains sealed, and minimizes exposure to reactive gases, allowing for extended storage without quality deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
The second lumen may be used to inject pressurized gas into a bottle, and in response beverage may exit the bottle via the first lumen
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A needle(200) for accessing a container(700) having a closure(730), such as a cork of a wine bottle. The needle(200) includes first and second lumens(201,203) each having a D -shaped cross section and a flat surface. The first and second lumens(201,203) are attached with the flat surfaces in contact, and each lumen may have an outlet opening(204,205) at a distal end. The needle may be used with a beverage dispenser(1) that operates by introducing gas into a container(700) via one lumen(203), and receives beverage from the container via another one of the lumens(201).