Self-Opening, Self-Plugging Bottle Stopper With Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle stoppers require tools like corkscrews for opening and can eject or fly out during the uncorking process, posing safety risks and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A self-opening and self-plugging bottle stopper with a cylindrical cover, cartridge, and activation cap that allows for tool-free operation, featuring a conduit with inlets and outlets that extend or retract to facilitate opening and closing without ejecting from the bottle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional bottle stopper is used, then the bottle can be sealed, but a tool like a corkscrew is required for opening and the stopper may eject or fly out during uncorking
Solution Approach 1:
The bottle stopper is designed to open itself through a self-opening mechanism that uses the bottle's own contents (liquid pressure) to drive the uncorking process without requiring external tools. The stopper serves itself by converting internal bottle pressure into the force needed to extract the stopper through the conduit system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes pneumatic and hydraulic principles by employing the liquid pressure within the bottle to drive the self-opening mechanism. The fluid pressure acts through the conduit to push the stopper out, converting the bottle's internal pressure into mechanical force for automatic uncorking.
2Ease of operation
If the stopper is designed to open automatically, then tool-free operation is achieved, but the stopper may still eject or fly out of the bottle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by designing a self-plugging mechanism that preemptively prevents the stopper from ejecting or flying out of the bottle. The mechanism includes features that counteract the harmful ejection force before it can cause damage, ensuring safe operation during the self-opening process.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper performs self-plugging functionality as part of its self-service operation, automatically returning to its sealed position after opening without requiring external intervention. This self-contained operation eliminates the need for separate plugging actions and ensures controlled, safe operation.
3Ease of operation
If a self-opening mechanism is implemented, then manual uncorking is eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated system where the conduit, valves, and self-opening mechanism work together as one unified assembly. The conduit serves both as a structural element and a fluid pathway, while the valves are integrated into the stopper body, reducing the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit system serves multiple functions: it provides a pathway for fluid flow, acts as a structural support element, and enables the self-opening mechanism. The valves are designed to perform both sealing and flow control functions, making the overall device more efficient despite the added complexity of the self-opening capability.
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, tool-free opening and closing of bottles, preventing the stopper from flying out and ensuring secure sealing, applicable to various liquids including wine and non-beverages.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid chamber of the bottle stopper contains a nitrogen fluid; wherein the fluid chamber has a pressure range between 45 bars and 47 bars
Implementation Method 2
the at least one inlet is fluidly connected to the fluid chamber and the at least one outlet extends beyond the bottom end
Data Source
AI summary
A bottle stopper adapted for self-opening and self-plugging a bottle, comprising a cylindrical cover having a bottom end and a top end. The cylindrical cover is sized and shaped to plug a bottle. A cartridge is encompassed by the cylindrical cover and has a fluid chamber; the cartridge also has at least one lateral protrusion thereon to form between the cartridge and the cylindrical cover. There is at least one fluid channel for fluidly connecting between a space below the bottom end and above the top end. A conduit having at least one inlet and at least one outlet is for fluidly connecting transferring the fluid of the fluid chamber to outside of the bottle stopper. An activation cap is mounted to push the conduit along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cover from a closed state to an open state.