Fluid Pressure Regulator for Beverage Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for accessing pressurized gas cylinders and extracting beverages from sealed containers, such as wine bottles, often introduce reactive gases or damage the closure, leading to quality issues and repeated extraction challenges.
Innovation Solution
A beverage extraction device with a piercing lance and pressure regulator system that allows for gas introduction and beverage extraction without removing the closure, using a needle with angled surfaces to pierce and reseal the cork, and a pressure regulator capable of handling high pressures with a combination of metal and plastic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a closure is removed to extract beverage, then beverage can be accessed, but the closure is damaged and reactive gases enter the container
Solution Approach 1:
A piercing lance with needle acts as an intermediary device that creates a controlled access path through the closure without removing it. The needle pierces the closure to allow beverage extraction while maintaining the closure's sealing function, preventing reactive gases from entering the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the necessary function (beverage access) from the closure system by creating a small puncture rather than removing the entire closure. This allows beverage extraction while leaving the closure intact to maintain the seal and prevent harmful gas entry.
2Productivity
If high pressure is used for extraction, then extraction efficiency increases, but the closure and device components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing lance uses a specifically designed needle geometry with angled surfaces and controlled dimensions to penetrate the closure at optimal pressure levels. The needle's structural parameters are optimized to achieve effective penetration and beverage flow without exceeding the strength limits of the closure or device components.
3Device complexity
If a simple piercing structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliable piercing of metal closures cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing lance combines different materials and geometric features in a single integrated structure. The needle portion uses materials and angles optimized for penetrating metal closures, while the body provides structural support and fluid passage. This composite design achieves reliable piercing of durable closures without requiring an overly complex multi-component system.
4Device complexity
If the valve ball directly contacts the valve body, then the structure is simplified, but wear increases reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A soft gasket is introduced as an intermediary element between the metal valve ball and metal valve body. The gasket deforms to create a seal while protecting the metal surfaces from direct contact and wear. This simple addition significantly extends valve life without complicating the overall structure.
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 sealed containers with minimal gas introduction, maintaining beverage quality and preventing damage to the closure, while effectively regulating pressure for efficient extraction and storage.
Implementation Method 1
The first surface may cut an opening in the closure, while the second surface may aid in bending the cut portion of the closure away from the opening.
Implementation Method 2
The first surface may cut an opening in the closure
Implementation Method 3
The gasket may be arranged to deform with contact with the first valve ball
Implementation Method 4
a fluid pressure regulator includes a first stage valve arranged to open and close a fluid flow path to control flow of fluid through the valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A pressure regulator (600) may control a pressure of gas introduced into the container. The pressure regulator (600) comprises a first stage valve including a gasket retainer (52) in the valve chamber (5) and stationary relative to the first valve body (4) arranged to hold the first valve gasket (11) at the outlet opening.