Gravity-Responsive Valve for Sparkling Wine Disgorgement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional method of producing sparkling wines, such as Champagne, results in significant wine and pressure loss during the disgorgement process, which is inefficient and wasteful, and previous solutions have not provided a fully controlled and safe manner for this process.
Innovation Solution
A bottle closure assembly with a gravity-responsive valve member that allows selective passage of materials, enabling the collection and isolation of sediment during secondary fermentation without wine loss, and controlled release of carbon dioxide, using a stopper with a longitudinal passage and a part-spherical valve member that rotates under gravity to facilitate efficient disgorgement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional disgorgement process is used, then sediment can be removed, but significant wine and pressure loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful function of traditional disgorgement (which causes wine loss) by separating the sediment removal function from the pressure release function. The valve member selectively opens to allow only sediment and CO2 to escape while retaining wine, thus taking out the wine loss problem from the disgorgement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the bottle interior and exterior, controlling what passes through during disgorgement. It mediates the process by allowing sediment and gas to pass while blocking wine, thus preventing wine loss while still enabling sediment removal.
2Loss of substance
If traditional disgorgement process is used, then sediment can be removed, but pressure loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pressure release function from the traditional disgorgement process and separates it from wine loss. The valve member controls pressure release by selectively opening to allow only CO2 and sediment to escape, thus taking out pressure loss without sacrificing wine.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member serves as an intermediary that controls pressure release during disgorgement. It selectively permits CO2 and sediment to pass while blocking wine, thereby managing pressure loss without causing wine loss.
3Reliability
If gravity-responsive valve member is used, then controlled and safe disgorgement is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to be gravity-responsive and self-actuating. It automatically opens and closes based on the bottle's orientation and pressure conditions without requiring external control mechanisms, thus achieving reliable controlled disgorgement while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical control systems with a simple gravity-responsive valve mechanism. The valve uses gravitational force and pressure differential to automatically control opening and closing, achieving safe and controlled disgorgement without complex actuators or control systems.
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
This solution minimizes wine and pressure loss, improves working conditions, and increases yields by allowing for a cleaner, safer, and more controlled disgorgement process, reducing labor costs and enhancing efficiency in sparkling wine production.
Implementation Method 1
the valve member is selectively gravity-responsive thus allowing passage of liquid and/or solid and/or gaseous materials to be permitted or prevented dependent upon the orientation of the bottle closure assembly
Implementation Method 2
causing the gravity-responsive valve member to rotate relative to a said bottle under the influence of gravity and, in so doing, isolate said sediment within the bottle closure assembly for ease of removal
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a bottle closure assembly (10) for use in the efficient production of sparkling wines. The invention comprises: a stopper (12) for sealing engagement within the finish and/or neck portion(s) of a bottle (100); a passage (18) within said stopper extending longitudinally from a wine-side opening (20) at one end thereof; and a valve member (30) located within said passage. The valve member is selectively gravity-responsive thus allowing passage of liquid and/or solid and/or gaseous materials to be permitted or prevented dependent upon the orientation of the bottle closure assembly. This invention also discloses a disgorgement method for use in the production of sparkling wines.