Recyclable Plastic Closing Unit for Beverage Kegs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing keg closing systems are not recyclable as a single unit, leading to increased labor, sourcing, storage, and maintenance costs, and pose risks due to steel components and potential mold formation from stagnated beer.

Innovation Solution

A closing unit made entirely of recyclable plastic with a simplified valve assembly and spring device, allowing for uniform pressure and easy assembly, disassembly, and sanitation, while preventing mold formation by allowing air to flow freely between containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a closing unit with multiple components (valve assembly, spring device, sealing units) is used, then the beverage containment and dispensing function is achieved, but the recyclability is reduced and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage containment functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the valve body, spring device, sealing units, and closing stopper into a single integrated closing unit that can be removed and recycled as one piece. This merging of components maintains all necessary functions (beverage containment, dispensing, sealing) while eliminating the need for disassembly and separate recycling of multiple parts, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If steel components are used in the valve assembly, then the mechanical strength and sealing function is improved, but health risks are introduced due to potential component release into beverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strength of valve assemblyVSAvoidhealth risks from steel component release

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from steel to plastic for all components in contact with the beverage. The valve body, spring device, and sealing units are all made from plastic materials that provide sufficient mechanical strength and sealing functionality without the health risks associated with steel component release, thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a complex valve assembly with multiple sealing units is used, then the sealing performance is improved, but cleaning and sanitation costs increase due to mold formation risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidcleaning and sanitation costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges all sealing units and valve components into a single removable closing unit that can be easily detached and cleaned as one piece. This integration maintains the sealing performance through multiple sealing elements while eliminating the complexity of cleaning and sanitizing multiple separate components, reducing mold formation risks and sanitation costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for the closing unit, then the functionality is improved, but transportation and storage costs increase due to separate handling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of closing unitVSAvoidtransportation and storage costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines all functional components (valve assembly, spring device, sealing units, closing stopper) into a single integrated closing unit that performs multiple functions. This merging reduces the quantity of separate parts that need to be transported and stored, eliminating separate handling requirements while maintaining all necessary functionalities for beverage containment and dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables safe transportation and handling of kegs, reduces costs by simplifying recycling and maintenance, and ensures consistent beverage flow by using a plastic valve assembly and linear zig-zag springs for uniform thrust.

Implementation Method 1

a spring device provided with the other component of the mobile sealing unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

linear zig-zag springs for uniform thrust

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3784589B1Closing unit for a beverage container, beverage container and method of making it

Publication Date: 2023.11.01 COVI EMANUELA

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AI summary

A closing unit associable with a keg type container (80) suitable to contain a beverage, and consisting of two cooperating coaxial containers (11, 12), wherein the external container (11) has anchoring means, or a threaded portion (32), comprising a valve assembly (40) and a closing device (14), which can be stably anchored to the threaded portion (32) and configured to reciprocally position with respect to each other the valve assembly (40) and the containers (11, 12).