Growler Closure System with Collapsible Bladder for Oxidation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for dispensing carbonated beverages like craft beer from growlers often expose the beverage to air, leading to oxidation and spoilage, and require complex pressurized systems or inconvenient bladder systems that are not user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A closure system using a single impermeable collapsible bladder that traps air in the headspace of the growler, allowing gravity-induced flow through a conventional tap without exposing the beer to ambient air, utilizing only atmospheric pressure and gravity for dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional open dispensing system is used, then the beverage can be easily accessed and dispensed, but the beverage is exposed to air causing oxidation and spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible bladder made of impermeable material that lines the interior of the container. This thin film barrier prevents air contact with the beverage while allowing the bladder to collapse as liquid is dispensed, maintaining simplicity and effectiveness without complex mechanical structures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an inflatable bladder system is used to prevent air contact, then the beverage is protected from oxidation, but the system becomes complex and requires multiple bladders and pressurization mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air from the headspace by containing it within a single collapsible bladder, separating the air volume from the beverage. This simplification removes the need for complex dual-bladder systems, pressurization mechanisms, and multiple sealing components, leaving only the essential bladder structure that collapses as liquid is dispensed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using pressurized systems to push liquid out, the patent inverts the approach by allowing atmospheric pressure and gravity to naturally dispense the beverage through a valve, while the bladder passively collapses to maintain the seal. This eliminates complex pressurization equipment and reduces system complexity.
3Productivity
If a pressurized system is used to dispense the beverage, then the beverage can be dispensed effectively, but the system requires additional equipment and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the beverage dispensing system to serve itself by utilizing the natural forces of gravity and atmospheric pressure. The liquid flows out through the valve automatically when the container is positioned, and the bladder collapses passively to maintain the seal, eliminating the need for external pressurization equipment or complex mechanical dispensing mechanisms.
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
Prevents oxidation and contamination by keeping beer and air separate throughout the dispensing process, ensuring the beer remains fresh and carbonated, and simplifies the dispensing process without the need for pressurized systems or complex bladder systems.
Implementation Method 1
The closure system is designed to allow liquid to flow from existing sealed, fixed volume vessels, i.e. growlers, through existing valve hardware using atmospheric pressure and gravity as the impetus for flow
Implementation Method 2
The support structure elevates and holds the growler in an inverted orientation that places the closure system at the lowermost portion of the growler allowing gravity to create a pressure gradient that causes the beer to flow from the growler out through the closure system
Data Source
AI summary
A closure system suitable for sealing a growler and dispensing beer under the influence of gravity and atmospheric pressure through a conventional tap faucet. A growler sealed with the closure system is held in an inverted position by a support system. The closure system is lower than the body of the growler and is connected to a conventional tap faucet. The closure system includes a cap with a manually operated valve. The valve rotates from a closed position to an open one, which opens two channels in the cap: one to conduct beer from the growler to the tap and the other to conduct ambient air into a collapsed bladder—which is an integral part of the cap—when the tap is opened to dispense beer. The collapsible bladder expands into the growler when the beer is dispensed to take up the volume vacated by the beer. The closure system and the support can be included in a kit, alternatively each component can be packaged as a stand-alone item.