Plastic Keg Valve Assembly with Securing Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional stainless steel kegs are heavy and not recyclable, while plastic kegs lack efficient valve constructions for assembly and pressure management, limiting their use in dispensing beverages like beer and cider.
Innovation Solution
A plastic valve structure with a securing ring and separately formed valve housing parts that screw together, providing a secure assembly, pressure management, and over-pressure release, facilitating the use of plastic kegs for storing and dispensing liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional stainless steel kegs are used, then strength and pressure resistance are improved, but weight increases and recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from stainless steel to plastics, fundamentally altering the weight-to-strength ratio. The plastic keg achieves sufficient pressure resistance through optimized wall thickness and structural design while maintaining significantly lower weight compared to traditional steel kegs.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve structure employs composite construction combining plastics material for the housing with metal components (dispenser tube, valve elements) integrated within. This composite approach allows the plastic keg body to provide lightweight containment while metal components deliver the necessary mechanical strength for valve operation and pressure management.
2Weight of moving object
If plastic kegs are used, then weight and recyclability are improved, but valve assembly efficiency and pressure management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is divided into separable components: the valve housing (plastic), dispenser tube, valve elements, and securing ring. This segmentation allows for streamlined manufacturing of individual parts and simplified assembly procedures, improving overall production efficiency while maintaining the lightweight plastic construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve components are pre-assembled into the valve housing before insertion into the keg neck. This preliminary assembly approach ensures proper positioning and alignment, reducing assembly complexity and improving installation efficiency during the keg filling process.
3Reliability
If a secure valve assembly is provided, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing ring integrates multiple functions into a single component: it anchors the valve housing to the keg neck, provides structural support, and seals the interface. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts needed while maintaining assembly security and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve housing serves multiple purposes: it contains and protects the valve mechanism, provides mounting for the dispenser tube, facilitates securing to the keg neck, and enables pressure management functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall structure while enhancing reliability.
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 solution enables easier assembly and increased pressure resistance in plastic kegs, allowing them to be used for a variety of beverages and accommodating larger diameters, enhancing their recyclability and handling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a securing ring which has an internal screw-thread by which the valve structure is secured to the neck of the container
Implementation Method 2
valve components defining within the housing a pair of valves for the supply of pressurising fluid into the interior of the container and for dispensing liquid outwardly from the container
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Apparatus for storing and dispensing a liquid comprising a liquid container (12') having a neck (70) having an external screw thread, a valve structure (115) within the container neck (70) and a dispenser tube (43) extending from the valve structure (115) to an interior region of the container (12'), the valve structure (115) defines valves for supply of pressurising fluid into the interior of the container (12') and for dispensing liquid outwardly, and the valve structure (115) comprises a securing ring (71) having an internal screw-thread and a valve housing (121B) that plugs the container neck (70) and extending from an inner end disposed interiorly of the container (12') and an outer end disposed exteriorly of the container (12') and valve components defining within the housing (121B) a pair of valves for the supply of pressurising fluid into the interior of the container (12') and for dispensing liquid outwardly from the container (12').