Vessel Cap Pressure Reducing Valve Carbonation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for sealing carbonated beverages fail to prevent gas escape and oxidation of the liquid in the headspace after the bottle is opened, leading to flatness and degradation of the wine.
Innovation Solution
A vessel cap with a pressure reducing valve and gas exchange system that allows incoming carbon dioxide to re-pressurize the headspace, displacing air and reducing oxidation, while a two-stage seal and unseal arrangement ensures safe removal and pressure release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple seal or stopper is used to close the bottle opening, then the device complexity is low, but gas escapes from the liquid into the headspace causing the wine to go flat
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure reducing valve acts as an intermediary component between the external gas source and the bottle headspace. It mediates the gas flow by reducing pressure and controlling the exchange process, enabling carbonation retention without requiring complex high-pressure injection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap system performs self-service by automatically regulating gas pressure and flow through the pressure reducing valve. The valve inherently controls the gas exchange process without requiring external control mechanisms, maintaining carbonation levels autonomously.
2Device complexity
If a simple seal is used to close the bottle opening, then the device complexity is low, but oxidation of the wine occurs due to air in the headspace
Solution Approach 1:
The cap system creates and maintains an inert carbon dioxide atmosphere in the headspace by controlling gas exchange. This inert environment prevents oxidation of the wine by displacing oxygen-containing air, while the simple cap structure achieves this through the pressure reducing valve mechanism.
3Reliability
If gas pressure is increased to prevent carbonation loss, then carbonation retention is improved, but the risk of over-pressurization and safety hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure reducing valve serves as a safety intermediary that stands between the high-pressure gas source and the bottle headspace. It automatically reduces pressure to safe levels, preventing over-pressurization while maintaining sufficient carbonation pressure, thus eliminating safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure reducing valve provides beforehand cushioning by pre-regulating gas pressure before it enters the bottle. This prevents dangerous pressure buildup from occurring in the first place, cushioning the system against over-pressurization risks before they can manifest.
4Reliability
If a gas exchange system is added to maintain carbonation, then carbonation retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly integrates multiple functions into a single universal device: sealing the bottle opening, controlling gas exchange, reducing pressure, and maintaining carbonation. This multi-functionality achieves reliable carbonation retention without requiring separate complex systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the seal, pressure reducing valve, and gas exchange control into a single integrated cap assembly. By combining these functions into one device rather than separate components, the system achieves reliable carbonation retention with minimal added complexity.
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 cap effectively maintains the carbonation and freshness of sparkling beverages by controlling gas pressure and preventing air oxidation, ensuring a good quality delivery regardless of the bottle's usage status.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure reducing valve is arranged to allow gas at a first pressure at the cap inlet to exit the gas inlet port into the vessel headspace at a second pressure reduced from the first pressure
Implementation Method 2
a seal arranged to form a gas-tight seal on a vessel opening
Implementation Method 3
allows incoming carbon dioxide to re-pressurize the headspace, displacing air and reducing oxidation
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A vessel cap (100, 10) for exchanging gas in and pressuring a vessel headspace (30), the cap (100, 10) comprising a cap inlet (11), a seal (12) arranged to form a gas-tight seal on a vessel opening, a pressure reducing valve, a gas inlet port (25) arranged to allow incoming gas into the vessel headspace (30), a gas outlet port (31) arranged to allow outgoing gas to escape from the vessel headspace (30).