Flexible Pouring Device Asperity Aeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pouring devices do not effectively enhance the aromas of liquids, such as wine or liqueur, during pouring, and fail to provide gentle aeration without causing bubbles or excessive movement that could harm the organoleptic properties.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and elastic pouring device with a unitary sheet element that is rolled cylindrically and inserted into a bottle nozzle, featuring an inner surface with asperities that provide gentle aeration to the liquid as it passes through, preventing excessive stirring and bubble formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the inner surface of the pouring device is made smooth and repellent to liquids, then the device can prevent drops from traveling down the edge of the outlet port, but the device cannot effectively aerate the liquid during pouring
Solution Approach 1:
The pouring device applies different surface properties to different regions: the outlet port edge region maintains a smooth, repellent surface to prevent drops from traveling down, while the inner surface region incorporates asperities (protrusions or roughness) to provide aeration. This local differentiation allows the device to simultaneously achieve both functions without compromise.
2Productivity
If the inner surface of the pouring device is made rough to aerate the liquid, then the liquid can be oxygenated during pouring, but excessive stirring and bubble formation occur that harm organoleptic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The pouring device controls the parameters of surface roughness by using specifically designed asperities with controlled height, density, and distribution patterns. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient aeration action on the liquid while preventing excessive stirring and bubble formation that would harm organoleptic properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If a unitary flexible element is used for the pouring device, then the device is simple to manufacture and can be held in place by contact force alone, but the device cannot effectively intervene on the liquid to promote aroma development
Solution Approach 1:
The unitary flexible element incorporates localized asperities on its inner surface while maintaining overall structural simplicity. This allows the device to be manufactured as a single piece that can be held in place by contact force alone, while the localized asperity regions provide the necessary liquid intervention capability to promote aroma development during pouring.
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 promotes the development of aromas by gently aerating the liquid during pouring, maintaining the organoleptic properties while ensuring anti-drip functionality and easy manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
the inner surface of the unitary element is at least partly bristling with at least one asperity which provides aeration of the liquid when pouring it
Implementation Method 2
the liquid necessarily passes over the roughness or roughnesses raising the inner surface of the unitary element, and thus undergoes a slight stirring which provides aeration of the liquid
Implementation Method 3
a unitary element of a material in sheet that is both flexible to allow cylindrical winding of said element on itself and elastic to allow it to be held in place in the outlet fitting by the sole force of contact exerted by the outer surface of said rolled element
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
The device has a unitary element (10) made from a sheet material. The material is flexible for allowing cylindrical winding of the element and is elastic for allowing the element to be held in a mouth piece of a container by a single contact force exerted by an outer surface (12) of the wound element. An inner surface (11) of the element forms a flow guide for a liquid to be poured, till a free edge (16) of the wound element. The inner surface is bristled with asperities (15) e.g. relief patterns, spikes or tips, providing aeration for the liquid during pouring of the liquid.