Fluid Dispenser Isolation Membrane for Beverage Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensing systems for beverages like beer and spring water face challenges in maintaining product integrity and preventing contamination, particularly due to air exposure, which leads to deterioration and loss of taste, and require effective isolation from pressurization media and controlled aeration.
Innovation Solution
A deformable/collapsible liner bag membrane system within a housing for containing and dispensing fluids, allowing separation from contaminants and pressurization media, with adjustable aeration and mixing capabilities, and temperature conditioning to preserve the quality of the dispensed product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fluid is stored in direct contact with air and pressurization media, then the dispensing system is simpler, but the fluid quality deteriorates due to contamination and aeration
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is segmented into distinct compartments: an outer housing containing pressurization media, an intermediate isolation membrane, and an inner fluid container. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while preventing harmful interactions between the fluid and pressurization media.
Solution Approach 2:
An isolation membrane acts as an intermediary barrier between the fluid and the pressurization media. This membrane allows pressure transmission from the outer media to the inner fluid while preventing direct contact, thus maintaining fluid quality while enabling pressurized dispensing.
2Reliability
If the fluid is isolated from pressurization media using a membrane, then fluid quality is preserved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible isolation membrane is used to separate the fluid from pressurization media. The membrane transmits pressure while preventing contamination, and its flexible nature allows it to conform to the container shape and accommodate fluid volume changes during dispensing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If aeration is allowed to improve mixing and dispensing, then fluid homogeneity increases, but fluid quality deteriorates due to excessive air contact
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation membrane serves as a controlled intermediary that permits limited gas exchange for necessary aeration and mixing while preventing excessive air contact. This maintains fluid homogeneity during dispensing while preserving quality by restricting total air exposure.
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 system ensures the preservation of beverage quality by isolating the fluid from air and pressurization media, allowing for controlled aeration and mixing, thus maintaining the taste and freshness of the product, and enabling flexible dispensing options from a range of aerated to de-aerated states.
Implementation Method 1
A deformable/collapsible liner bag membrane system within a housing for containing and dispensing fluids, allowing separation from contaminants and pressurization media
Implementation Method 2
An aeration facility for forcing gas into the liner bag to aerate or de-aerate liquid content
Implementation Method 3
Some aspects involve liquid and gas mixtures, or gas dissolved into solution, such as gasified or aerated admixtures
Implementation Method 4
A pump for delivering liquid or semi-liquid content through the liner bag wall to a discharge point
Data Source
AI summary
The combination of a container of a first volume and a fluid containment and dispensing apparatus includes a flexible bag having an inner wall, an outer wall and a collar. The collar comprises a plurality of components, including a collar body, a flange that is attached to the bag, and a top plate having a first aperture therein configured to for connection to a first fluid carrying conduit, the fluid carrying conduit providing for egress of fluid from the bag. The container comprises walls the walls having inner and outer surfaces, and the collar body extends from a wall of the container. The container provides at least one second aperture providing for ingress and egress of fluid to and from a space situated between the outer surface of the bag and the inner surface of the container and the apparatus further comprises a fastener, such as a clamp, to fasten the collar components together.