Variable Volume Evacuable Container Air Removal Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage containers fail to efficiently evacuate air, leading to oxidation and spoilage of liquids like wine, due to complex designs, material waste, seal failures, high costs, and maintenance requirements in existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A variable-volume container with a spirally threaded inner wall and a lid that compresses against the liquid to force air out through a duct, featuring a moveable baffle and minimal liquid leakage for effective air evacuation, suitable for upright storage of potable liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collapsible inner bladder with ratcheting mechanism is used, then air evacuation is achieved, but device complexity increases and material waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex ratcheting mechanism and collapsible bladder from the system entirely. Instead, it uses a simple movable lid that can be manually positioned to evacuate air, eliminating unnecessary components while maintaining the core air evacuation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The container allows the user to directly manipulate the lid to evacuate air without requiring complex automated mechanisms. The simple design enables the user to perform the air evacuation function themselves by moving the lid to compress and expel air through the duct.
2Reliability
If flexible seals are used in a moveable piston, then air-tight seal is achieved, but seal failure and liquid leakage occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces durable but complex flexible seals with a simpler design where the lid itself creates the seal against the container wall. The seal is integrated into the lid structure rather than being a separate flexible component, reducing the risk of seal failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid incorporates a flexible sealing surface that can deform to maintain contact with the container wall, providing an air-tight seal without requiring separate flexible seal components that are prone to failure.
3Reliability
If a specialized tool with compressed gas canister is used, then air replacement is achieved, but cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the expensive compressed gas canister and specialized tool components entirely. It replaces them with a simple manual lid mechanism that uses the container's own structure to evacuate air, eliminating the need for external gas supplies and complex delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The container uses its own lid and internal structure to evacuate air without requiring external specialized tools or compressed gas cartridges. The system is self-contained and uses manual operation instead of expensive proprietary equipment.
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 container effectively minimizes air exposure, preventing oxidation and spoilage while offering a simple, efficient, and cost-effective solution for liquids susceptible to air exposure.
Implementation Method 1
compression of a lid downward against the surface of contained liquid, to force air out of containment through an air passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A variable volume evacuable container has a closed bottom, an open top, and a spirally threaded inner wall extending therebetween. A lid configured to threadably engage the inner wall has a top surface, a perimeter, a bottom surface, and a funneling volume within the perimeter and below the bottom surface. A duct is defined through the top and bottom surfaces at the apex of the funneling volume, and a moveable baffle is coupled to the top surface to cover or uncover the duct. The bottom surface slopes continuously upward to the apex so that downward rotation of the lid against contained liquid forces air out of the duct until the liquid fills the funneling volume, allowing the baffle to seal the liquid from air by covering the duct.