Movable Closure and Valve Storage Container to Reduce Liquid Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food and drink products, especially wine and olive oil, deteriorate quickly due to air exposure when stored in glass bottles, leading to oxidation and flavor loss, and existing solutions do not effectively prevent air contact or facilitate reusable storage.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a movable closure member and valve system that maintains a fluid-tight seal, allowing air to escape while preventing liquid exposure to air, enabling the device to be refilled and reducing glass waste by using a refillable vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass bottles are used for storing wine and oil, then the containers are simple and inexpensive, but the liquid deteriorates quickly due to air exposure and the bottles become waste after use
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is made movable within the receptacle, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position according to the liquid level. This enables the seal to remain effective throughout the storage period while the receptacle can be refilled and reused multiple times, resolving the contradiction between preservation reliability and waste reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables recovery and reuse of the glass receptacle by providing an effective sealing mechanism that maintains liquid quality over time. The movable closure member with valve system allows the bottle to be refilled and used repeatedly, preventing glass waste while maintaining preservation quality.
2Reliability
If a seal is placed at the bottle opening to prevent air contact, then liquid preservation is improved, but air trapped above the liquid cannot escape and liquid cannot be dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
A valve mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component within the closure member. This valve selectively controls the passage of air and liquid: it allows air to escape during sealing while preventing liquid leakage, and enables liquid dispensing when opened. This resolves the contradiction between maintaining preservation quality and ensuring operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is positioned locally within the closure member at a specific height above the receptacle base. This local placement allows the valve to control air and liquid flow independently from the main seal, enabling the seal to prevent air contact with liquid while the valve manages air escape and liquid dispensing functions.
3Reliability
If the closure member is positioned at the liquid surface to seal, then air contact is prevented, but the closure member cannot be removed for dispensing liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The valve serves as an intermediary that allows liquid to be dispensed through the sealed closure member. The valve can be opened to allow liquid flow while the closure member remains in position, eliminating the need to remove the closure member for dispensing while maintaining the air seal when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member is segmented into functional components: a seal portion that contacts the receptacle wall to prevent air ingress, and a valve portion that controls liquid and air flow. This segmentation allows the seal to remain effective while the valve provides independent control for liquid dispensing without requiring closure member removal.
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 prevents air contact with liquids, reducing oxidation and flavor loss, and allows for repeated use, thereby minimizing glass waste and offering a sustainable alternative to disposable containers.
Implementation Method 1
the closure member comprising a seal about its periphery, for positioning against the inside of the receptacle... the closure member can be moved within the receptacle such that its periphery is substantially continually in contact with the internal surface of the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
the valve allows for the air to be removed from above the liquid as the closure member is moved towards its upper surface... the valve allows air to escape when in a close position, but it does not allow the passage of liquid through
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device (10) comprising a receptacle (12) and a movable closure member (22), the closure member comprising a seal (30) about its periphery, for positioning against the inside of the receptacle, and a valve (32) within its periphery, wherein the closure member can be moved within the receptacle such that its periphery is substantially continually in contact with the internal surface of the receptacle, and wherein, when in an open position, the valve allows flow of fluid from within the receptacle through the valve, and when in a closed position, the valve prevents flow of liquid from within the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is substantially closed at its lower end.