Handheld Gas Pressurization Device with Priming and Bleed Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for pressurizing and evacuating gas in containers, such as carbonated beverages and wine bottles, fail to accurately replicate the unopened ambient conditions, leading to degradation in carbonation quality, over-saturation, and inefficiencies due to trapped ambient air and lack of adjustable pressure settings.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held device with a charging unit and sealing-valve unit that allows for controlled pressurization and evacuation of gases, using a mixture of CO2 and N2 to approximate the initial gas conditions of an unopened bottle, featuring a priming function to remove ambient air and adjust pressure levels for optimal carbonation preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressurized CO2 cartridge is used to carbonate beverages, then carbonation is achieved, but the bottle becomes heavy and awkward to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the heavy pressurized CO2 cartridge from the beverage bottle. The cartridge remains in a stationary holder while gas is transferred to the bottle through a valve system, allowing the bottle to remain lightweight and portable while still achieving effective carbonation.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve system acts as an intermediary between the pressurized CO2 cartridge and the beverage bottle. The valve controls gas flow and allows the bottle to be connected or disconnected as needed, enabling the bottle to be light when not in use while still receiving pressurized CO2 when carbonation is required.
2Reliability
If the device remains on the bottle to maintain pressure, then carbonation is preserved, but the device cannot be removed to pressurize a different bottle
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system transitions from a static connection to a dynamic, removable connection. The valve can be opened or closed as needed, allowing the bottle to be disconnected from the device while maintaining pressure through the closed valve position, enabling the device to service multiple bottles.
3Quantity of substance
If pure CO2 is injected into the bottle, then carbonation is maximized, but the beverage becomes over-saturated and foam forms
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of gas injection by controlling pressure and flow rate through the valve system. By regulating these parameters, the device achieves adequate carbonation without over-saturation, preventing excessive foam formation while still maximizing CO2 dissolution in the beverage.
4Ease of operation
If ambient air is trapped in the bottle during pressurization, then the device is simple to operate, but carbonation quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system allows for preliminary evacuation of ambient air from the bottle before or during the CO2 injection process. By controlling the valve timing and position, the device removes air pockets that would degrade carbonation quality while maintaining simple operation through intuitive valve activation.
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 device effectively maintains the carbonation quality of beverages by replicating the unopened bottle's gas conditions, preventing over-saturation, and allowing for precise pressure adjustments, enhancing the taste and fizz of carbonated drinks and preserving the quality of wine.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge with a seal at one end that is punctured to release a gas into a container or bottle in order to carbonate the beverage within
Implementation Method 2
a pressure regulating valve to limit the pressure within the bottle to a predetermined pressure limit, at which point the source CO2 gas is vented
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the pressurization and evacuation of a gas in a bottle, in order to approximate the unopened (ambient) conditions of a previous gaseous state in said bottle. Two units comprise this system, namely a charging unit and a sealing-valve unit. When the charging unit is coupled to the sealing-valve unit three functions can be performed. The first is a priming function where the bottle is partially evacuated of its ambient air and replaced with a gas from a cartridge. The second is a charging function where the primed bottle is pressurized with the same gas type or mixture from the pressurized gas cartridge. The third is an evacuating function where the charged bottle can be bled of gas to achieve the approximate ambient condition of an unopened bottle. This function is used when a bottle is overcharged and a lower pressure is desired.