Reusable Pressure Relief Valve for Live Beverages
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure relief valves are not suitable for the canning or bottling of live beverages due to their size, expense, and non-reusable nature, and rupture discs compromise the beverage vessel upon activation, leading to potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A pressure actuated, re-usable pressure relief valve assembly made from inert, FDA-approved food-grade materials that can be installed in beverage vessels to relieve pressure without compromising the vessel's integrity, featuring a spring-actuated mechanism that opens and closes to manage gas buildup during fermentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing pressure relief valves are used, then pressure relief function is achieved, but the valve size is large and expense is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential pressure relief function from complex existing valves and implements it through a simplified mechanism consisting of a membrane, spring, and outlet passage. This extraction principle reduces the overall valve size while maintaining the core pressure relief capability needed for beverage containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the pressure relief function using basic components (membrane, spring, outlet) rather than replicating the full complexity of existing valves. This copied mechanism achieves the same pressure relief effect with significantly reduced size and cost.
2Reliability
If existing pressure relief valves are used, then pressure relief function is achieved, but the expense is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable pressure relief valve design where the membrane and associated components are intended for single use. This approach reduces manufacturing costs by using inexpensive materials and simplifying the structure, making the valve economically viable for beverage containers while maintaining reliable pressure relief function.
Solution Approach 2:
By extracting only the essential pressure relief components and eliminating unnecessary complex mechanisms, the patent reduces manufacturing costs while preserving the core functional reliability needed for safe beverage storage and dispensing.
3Stress or pressure
If rupture discs are used, then pressure relief is achieved, but the beverage vessel is compromised leading to potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic membrane-spring mechanism that can open and close based on pressure conditions, rather than a static rupture disc that permanently fails. The membrane flexes outward to relieve pressure through the outlet passage, then returns to its original position to maintain vessel integrity and prevent contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary element that responds to pressure changes by opening the outlet passage when needed, then sealing it again. This intermediary mechanism provides controlled pressure relief without permanently compromising the vessel, unlike rupture discs that create permanent openings.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If a reusable pressure relief valve is used, then the valve can be used multiple times, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recoverable mechanism where the membrane returns to its original position after pressure relief, allowing the valve to be reused. The spring automatically resets the membrane, enabling multiple pressure relief cycles without manual intervention or complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is self-regulating through the spring-membrane interaction. When pressure decreases, the spring automatically pushes the membrane back to seal the outlet passage, enabling reusable operation without external control systems or complex mechanisms.
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 provides a safe, reusable, and cost-effective means to manage pressure in live beverages, preventing vessel compromise and ensuring the quality and safety of the beverage during and after fermentation.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a spring-actuated mechanism that opens and closes to manage gas buildup during fermentation
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure actuated pressure relief valve is disposed in the body of a beverage vessel and is configured to be in fluidic communication with an exterior of the beverage vessel and an interior of the beverage vessel. The pressure actuated pressure relief valve being configured to actuate from a closed position to an open position based on pressure reaching a threshold within the interior of the beverage vessel. The pressure actuated pressure relief valve being configured to actuate from the open position to the closed position based on pressure falling below the threshold within the interior of the beverage vessel.