Iris Device for Carbonation Machine Bottle Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbonation machines face challenges in securely attaching bottles during carbonation processes while ensuring user-friendly detachment and stability under high pressure without requiring complex mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A carbonation machine with an iris device that automatically secures bottles by reducing the opening size through a pivoting mechanism, allowing easy attachment and preventing downward displacement during carbonation, eliminating the need for manual screwing and motorization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secure fixation mechanism is used to withstand high carbonation pressure, then the bottle attachment reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebottle attachment reliabilityVSAvoidfixation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The iris device transitions from an open state (during bottle insertion) to a closed state (during carbonation) to dynamically adapt to different operational phases. This dynamic behavior provides secure fixation when needed while maintaining simplicity during insertion, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The iris device automatically closes when the bottle is inserted and performs self-locking through the interaction between the iris elements and the bottle neck. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external actuation systems, achieving reliable fixation without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If an iris device is used to secure the bottle automatically, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebottle attachment easeVSAvoidiris device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The iris device performs self-actuation through the insertion motion itself, which triggers the closing action. The bottle neck interacts with the iris elements to automatically close and lock the device without requiring separate motors or complex control systems, maintaining simplicity while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The iris elements are pre-positioned in an open state to facilitate easy bottle insertion. Once the bottle is in place, the device automatically transitions to the closed state. This preliminary configuration allows users to simply insert the bottle without manual manipulation, improving ease of operation without adding complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the opening size is reduced to secure the bottle, then the bottle retention is improved, but the ease of detachment worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebottle retentionVSAvoidbottle detachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The iris device dynamically changes its opening size based on the operational phase: closed during carbonation for secure retention, and open during detachment for ease of operation. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between retention and detachment ease by providing different states for different needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses the carbonation pressure itself as feedback to maintain the closed state. When pressure is applied, it confirms the bottle is securely retained. After carbonation, the pressure is released, providing feedback that allows easy opening and detachment, thus resolving the contradiction between retention and detachment ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4408790B1Receiving device for receiving a bottle on a carbonation machine; carbonation machine, and method for using a carbonation machine
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SODAPOP GMBH
  • EP4408790B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4408790B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4408790B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a receiving device (10) for receiving a bottle (2) for a carbonation machine (1), characterized in that the receiving device (10) has a fastening device (20) for fastening the bottle (2), the fastening device (20) comprising an iris device (30).