Wine bottle stopper - V2.0 design

My client sought to develop an improved version of an existing wine bottle stopper. The new design would incorporate a user-selectable image with minimal incremental production cost. I began by developing a baseline CAD with the hopes of utilizing as many existing components as possible.

The approach

The original design utilized an expandable rubber ring that sealed the inside of the bottle when the arm was pivoted into the closed position. Given the need to maintain various indexed positions, I chose to double up the functionality of this ring to also provide the load required to maintain each indexed position.

Secondary bell

The design would require a secondary bell on which to affix the index labels and build in the positive detent features.

Revised design

The new device design utilized the same actuator, requiring three new injection molded components (two bells and a clear window) along with a printed label set.

Final CAD

The design was approved and ready for rapid prototype fabrication.

Finished prototype

The rapid prototype functioned very well and had both the aesthetic and feel desired by the client.