Method and apparatus for enhancing a beverage

Abstract

A method is provided for enhancing a beverage. The method includes obtaining a carbonating or non-carbonating propellant substance, applying an enhancing substance to the propellant substance to form an enhanced substance, compressing the enhanced substance such that it is maintained in gas and liquid form, and releasing the enhanced substance into a target liquid to generate an enhanced beverage. Also provided is a cartridge and carbonating device for use in the context of the method.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING A BEVERAGECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 553,721, filed February 15, 2024 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 633,181, filed April 12, 2024, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to enhancing a beverage, either by adding a functional additive (e.g., caffeine) or by flavoring a beverage (e.g., by adding lemon, lime, vanilla, or other flavors) by way of a carbonating fluid. In particular, the invention relates to enhancing a carbonated beverage by way of CO2 infusion, as well as systems and devices for implementing methods for enhancing a carbonated beverage by way of CO2 infusion.BACKGROUND

[0003] Various substances may be used to carbonate beverages, including carbon dioxide. Typically, if a person desires a flavored or otherwise enhanced carbonated beverage, the beverage would be flavored or otherwise enhanced with an additive provided independently of the carbonation.

[0004] Traditionally, such additives would be incorporated by providing a flavored or otherwise enhanced base beverage or syrup. For example, sodas are traditionally shipped as flavored syrups which are then diluted by adding water at a destination, such as a bottling plant or soda fountain. The soda is then carbonated after diluting the syrup to create the flavored beverage.

[0005] More recently, flavorings and other additives have been marketed directly to consumers for adding, e.g., a flavor or energy boost to seltzer or other neutral carbonated beverages, either by the bottle or by the serving. These additive compoundsare designed to dissolve in carbonated liquid directly, and the flavoring or other enhancement is typically added immediately prior to drinking by a user.

[0006] Adding an additive is therefore typically a discrete step separate from carbonation and requires users who wish to be able to carbonate and enhance or flavor beverages on the go to carry additional items with them. These additional items vary in terms of type of substance and method of adding, and may include powders, compressed powders, concentrated drops, liquid vessels, or tablets, among other possibilities. There is a need to simplify the process for an end user and to reduce the number of items necessary for a user to transform their water into a flavored or otherwise enhanced carbonated beverage.

[0007] An additional challenge related to adding an additive is that mixing an additive into a beverage is a difficult process. The transition from a concentrated additive to an end state in which the additive is homogenously diluted into a beverage may take time and may be accelerated by shaking the beverage after adding the additive. However, shaking the beverage would not be acceptable in the context of a carbonated beverage.

[0008] There is a further need for devices and cartridges that can efficiently and simultaneously carbonate and infuse a beverage with an additive, resulting in a carbonated beverage in which the additive is evenly diluted into the beverage.SUMMARY

[0009] In some embodiments, a method is provided for enhancing a beverage. The method includes obtaining a carbonating or non-carbonating propellant substance, applying an enhancing substance to the propellant substance to form an enhanced substance, compressing the enhanced substance such that it is maintained in gas and liquid form, and releasing the enhanced substance into a target liquid to generate an enhanced beverage.

[0010] In some embodiments, the enhancing substance is a flavoring or mineral additive.

[0011] In some embodiments, the propellant substance is carbon dioxide and is a carbonating substance. In some such embodiments, upon applying the enhancing substance, the carbon dioxide is compressed into a cartridge and maintained in a stable liquid or gas form, and wherein the cartridge is shelf stable.

[0012] In some embodiments, the propellant substance is nitrogen and is a noncarbonating propellant.

[0013] In some embodiments, the enhancing substance comprises at least one essential oil, natural flavor essence, flavor concentrate, natural flavor, natural flavor derivative, fruit, herb, spice, or a mixture thereof.

[0014] In some embodiments, the enhancing substance comprises at least one oil, concentrate, mineral, salt, nootropic, caffeine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other non-flavoring additives or compounds, or a mixture thereof, for enhancing the beverage.

[0015] In some embodiments in which the propellant substance is carbon dioxide, the carbon dioxide is provided in liquid form at higher than atmospheric pressure. In some such embodiments the enhancing substance is applied to the liquid carbon dioxide by adding the flavoring substance to a pressurized storage tank containing the carbon dioxide.

[0016] In some embodiments in which the propellant substance is carbon dioxide, the enhancing substance is maintained as a discrete fluid separable from the carbon dioxide, such that the enhanced substance comprises discrete carbon dioxide and enhancing substance. In some such embodiments, the target liquid is provided in a container, the enhanced substance is maintained in a cartridge having a dispensing end, and the method further comprises positioning the cartridge such that the dispensing end faces substantially downward and releasing the enhanced substance into the target liquid from above the target liquid by way of the dispensing end.

[0017] In some such embodiments the method further includes the dispensing end so as to irreversibly open the cartridge.

[0018] In some embodiments in which the propellant substance is carbon dioxide, the cartridge has a carbon dioxide capacity of approximately 4 to 20 grams.

[0019] In some embodiments a cartridge is provided having a pressure vessel body having a dispensing end, a carbonating or non-carbonating propellant substance in liquid form maintained within the pressure vessel body at higher than atmospheric pressure, and an enhancing substance maintained within the pressure vessel body. The dispensing end is configured to be opened irreversibly.

[0020] In some such embodiments, the pressure vessel body further comprises an uninterrupted internal cavity within which the propellant substance and the enhancing substance are retained prior to opening the dispensing end.

[0021] In some embodiments, the pressure vessel body is formed from rolled or drawn metal and is not provided with any internal structure.

[0022] In some embodiments, the dispensing end is provided with a pierceable membrane, and wherein once the membrane is pierced, an internal cavity of the cartridge is irreversibly exposed to atmospheric pressure.

[0023] In some embodiments, the propellant substance is carbon dioxide and is a carbonating substance. In some such embodiments, the pressure vessel body has a capacity of approximately 4-20 grams of carbon dioxide.

[0024] In some embodiments, the propellant substance is nitrogen and is a noncarbonating propellant.

[0025] In some embodiments, the enhancing substance comprises at least one essential oil, natural flavor essence, flavor concentrate, natural flavor, natural flavor derivative, fruit, herb, spice, or a mixture thereof.

[0026] In some embodiments, the enhancing substance comprises at least one oil, concentrate, mineral, salt, nootropic, caffeine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other non-flavoring additives or compounds, or a mixture thereof, for enhancing the beverage.

[0027] In some embodiments, the dispensing end is not fitted with a valve.

[0028] In some embodiments, a carbonation device is provided having a container cap for mounting to an opening of a liquid container, a cartridge positioned in the container cap, the cartridge containing a carbonating or non-carbonating propellant substance and an enhancing substance, wherein the container cap positions the cartridge relative to the liquid container, and a conduit extending from the cartridge to an interior of the liquid container. The propellant substance, when released from the cartridge, then enters the interior of the liquid container.

[0029] In some embodiments, the cartridge comprises a pressure vessel body and a dispensing end, and wherein the dispensing end is configured to be opened irreversibly. In some such embodiments, the container cap positions the cartridge such that the dispensing end faces downwards towards the liquid container. In some such embodiments, the pressure vessel body further comprises an uninterrupted internal cavity within which the propellant substance and the enhancing substance are retained prior to opening the dispensing end.

[0030] In some embodiments utilizing a pressure vessel body, the pressure vessel body is formed from rolled or drawn metal and is not provided with any internal structure.

[0031] In some embodiments, the dispensing end of the cartridge is provided with a pierceable membrane, and wherein once the membrane is pierced, an internal cavity of the cartridge is irreversibly exposed to atmospheric pressure. In some such embodiments, once the pierceable membrane is pierced, flow from the cartridge to the liquid container is unobstructed by a flow restricting valve. In some such embodiments, the conduit comprises a one-way valve to prevent fluid flow from the liquid container towards the cartridge.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cartridge does not comprise an integrated valve.

[0033] In some embodiments, any valve in a flow path from the cartridge to the liquid container is actuated solely by exposure to pressure.

[0034] In some embodiments utilizing a cartridge with a pierceable membrane, the carbonation device further includes a piercer for piercing the pierceable membrane, and wherein a carbonation sequence is initiated by translating one of the piercer and the cartridge towards the other within the container cap.

[0035] In some embodiments, the propellant substance is carbon dioxide and is a carbonating substance.

[0036] In some such embodiments, the pressure vessel body has a capacity of approximately 4-20 grams of carbon dioxide.

[0037] In some embodiments, the propellant substance is nitrogen and is a noncarbonating propellant.

[0038] In some embodiments, the enhancing substance comprises at least one essential oil, natural flavor essence, flavor concentrate, natural flavor, natural flavor derivative, fruit, herb, spice, or a mixture thereof.

[0039] In some embodiments, the enhancing substance comprises at least one oil, concentrate, mineral, salt, nootropic, caffeine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other non-flavoring additives or compounds, or a mixture thereof, for enhancing the beverage.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 is a carbonation device in accordance with this disclosure mounted on a liquid container.

[0041] Figure 2 is a sectioned view of the carbonation device and liquid container of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2.

[0042] Figure 3 is the carbonation device of FIG. 1 separated from the liquid container.

[0043] Figure 4 is a cartridge for use in a carbonation device in accordance with this disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0045] This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

[0046] In general, the method described herein involves first applying a flavoring to a carbonating substance, then using the carbonating substance to carbonate a beverage,such that the resulting beverage is infused with the flavor from the carbonating substance. Similarly other enhancements and infusions can be applied to the resulting beverage by way of the carbonating substance, such as by adding various additives to the carbonating substance. If carbonation is not desired, an alternative to a carbonating substance, such as an inert compressed propellant such as nitrogen, may be used. Accordingly, a carbonating or non-carbonating substance may be referred to herein as a propellant substance, and it is understood that references to a carbonating substance similarly apply to other propellant substances.

[0047] Also described herein is a cartridge for use in the context of the method described, as well as a carbonation device usable for implementing a portion of the process described. The method is described generally first, followed by a description of the cartridge and the carbonation device.

[0048] Figure 1 is a carbonation device 100 in accordance with this disclosure mounted on a liquid container 110. Figure 2 is a sectioned view of the carbonation device 100 and liquid container 110 of FIG. 1. Figure 3 is a portion of the carbonation device 100 of FIG. 1 separated from the liquid container 110. Figure 4 is a cartridge 120 for use in a carbonation device 100 in accordance with this disclosure.

[0049] The carbonation device 100 and cartridge 120 shown in the figures and described below may be utilized in the context of a method for flavoring or otherwise enhancing a beverage.

[0050] Accordingly, a method is provided for flavoring or otherwise enhancing a beverage. The method includes initially obtaining a carbonating or non-carbonating propellant substance, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), which can be used to carbonate a fluid, such as water. The propellant substance can be provided in various forms and at various pressures. For example, the propellant substance may be provided in solid form, such as carbon dioxide provided as dry ice. Alternatively, the propellant substance may be provided in liquid form, such as carbon dioxide provided at a pressure higher than room temperature in a tank or cartridge. Similarly, the propellant substance may beprovided in gas form, such as carbon dioxide provided in a tank at a pressure lower than liquid CO2.

[0051] In some embodiments, the propellant substance may be provided in a supercritical state, such as carbon dioxide provided in a pressurized tank. In other embodiments, carbon dioxide may be provided in a pressurized tank, but may be maintained at a pressure lower than that required for a supercritical state. Accordingly, the carbon dioxide may be maintained in liquid or gas form at a pressure higher than ambient pressure.

[0052] The method then includes obtaining a flavoring or mineral substance or other enhancing substance to be infused. The flavoring may be provided in the form of an essential oil, natural flavor essence, flavor concentrate, natural flavor, natural flavor derivative, fruit, herb, spice, or a mixture thereof. Such flavorings may therefore include liquid compounds (e.g., lemon flavoring compound, limonene) or it may be a substance or base flavored with fruit, herbs, spices, or a mixture thereof. Various other flavoring compounds are contemplated as well.

[0053] Alternatively, the enhancing substance may comprise or be infused with at least one oil, concentrate, mineral, salt, nootropic, caffeine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) or other non-flavoring additives or compounds, or a mixture thereof, such that the compound is provided for enhancing the beverage by way of the propellant substance.

[0054] Once such an enhancing substance, such as a flavoring or mineral substance is obtained, it is applied to the propellant substance. For example, an essential oil may be applied to dry ice as it sublimates into a CO2 gas. Similarly, the infusion substance may be added to liquid CO2 by adding to a pressurized tank.

[0055] In some embodiments, the method further includes compressing the flavored or otherwise enhanced propellant substance such that it is maintained in a supercritical state above the solvent’s (i.e., CO2, N2O, etc.) critical temperature and pressure. This may be maintained in a tank, such as a tank for use in a countertop CO2tank for use in a carbonating machine, or it may be maintained at a supercritical state in a commercial tank used for initial processing. In some such embodiments, the flavored propellant substance will be held at this supercritical state, with periodic agitation to facilitate the enhancement going into solution with the solvent. In some embodiments, and with certain ingredients, this may take six or more hours until all the additive is in solution. After such a period, the supercritical mixture may be lowered towards atmospheric.

[0056] In some cases, the supercritical mixture will be maintained in a tank, canister, or cartridge and will be returned to ambient temperature. However, the liquid / gas mixture may still be maintained at an elevated pressure (such as 750-1200 PSI in the case of CO2), thereby maintaining equilibrium on the gas / liquid line of a phase diagram for CO2. The propellant substance may then be maintained at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure but below supercritical in a tank, such as a countertop CO2 tank for use in a carbonating machine, or it may be stored in the form of individual single serving or multi-serving CO2 cartridges for use in carbonating devices, such as carbonating water bottles or carbonating bottle caps.

[0057] In some embodiments, the flavored or otherwise enhanced propellant substance is never placed in a supercritical state. Instead, the enhancing substance is added to the propellant substance, and the liquid / gas mixture is maintained at an elevated pressure above ambient pressure in a state of liquid / gas equilibrium.

[0058] It is further noted that while the compression of the propellant substance is described as occurring after the flavoring process, in some embodiments, the propellant substance may be maintained in a pressurized state prior to flavoring or otherwise enhancing as well. Accordingly, CO2 may be stored in a pressurized tank and the flavoring substance may then be added to it. The CO2 may then be further maintained at the same pressure during and following the addition of the enhancing substance or the pressure may be further modified for storage purposes.

[0059] It is further noted that the process of deriving the additive could also be conducted from a natural source inside the canister, e.g., orange peel, coffee bean, etc. Accordingly, the additive would be extracted from the naturally occurring material into solution and then maintained in solution for use in adding it to water for carbonation and flavoring. Alternatively, the enhancing substance may be maintained as a discrete fluid separable from the propellant substance. Accordingly, in the case of carbon dioxide, the resulting combination comprising the enhanced propellant substance may ultimately be stored as discrete carbon dioxide and enhancing substance within a pressurized cartridge. It will be understood that this can vary in practice, such that the carbon dioxide or other propellant substance is partially or fully saturated with the enhancing substance, but where some of the enhancing substance is separate from the propellant substance within the cartridge.

[0060] Once the flavored or otherwise enhanced propellant substance is provided in its compressed form, it is then injected into a liquid to generate a flavored or otherwise enhanced carbonated beverage. This may be by way of the carbonation device 100 described in more detail below, such that a liquid container 110 is filled with liquid, such as water, the carbonation device 100 is then positioned relative to the water, and the compressed flavored or otherwise enhanced propellant substance is then released into the water. In such a scenario, the liquid container 110, such as a water bottle, may function as a pressure vessel. Following such a carbonation process, the liquid is then both carbonated and flavored or otherwise enhanced.

[0061] Where the enhanced propellant substance is maintained with discrete carbon dioxide and enhancing substance components, the target liquid may be provided in a container 110, and the enhanced propellant substance may be maintained in a cartridge 120 having a dispensing end 140. The method may then further comprise positioning the cartridge 120 such that the dispensing end 140 faces substantially downward, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3, and as discussed in more detail below. Themethod then proceeds with releasing the enhanced propellant substance into the target liquid from above the target liquid by way of the dispensing end 140 of the cartridge 120.

[0062] Accordingly, a cartridge 120 may be provided, the cartridge having a pressure vessel body 130 having a dispensing end 140. The propellant substance 150 is then provided in liquid form and maintained within the pressure vessel body 130 at higher than atmospheric pressure. An enhancing substance 160, as discussed above, is further maintained within the pressure vessel body 130.

[0063] Typically, the dispensing end 140 of the cartridge 120 is configured to be opened irreversibly. In some embodiments, the dispensing end 140 may be initially sealed and may be provided with, for example, a pierceable membrane 170. Such a pierceable membrane may comprise metal, ceramic, polymer, or other suitable substance. The method may then include piercing the dispensing end 140 so as to irreversibly open the cartridge 120. Accordingly, once the pierceable membrane 170 is pierced, an internal cavity of the cartridge 120 is irreversibly exposed to atmospheric pressure.

[0064] As shown, the pressure vessel body 130 may include an uninterrupted internal cavity within which the propellant substance 150 and the enhancing substance 160 are both retained prior to opening the dispensing end 140. Accordingly, the propellant substance 150 and the enhancing substance 160 are retained within a single contiguous space such that the substances may mix or become separated over time within the pressure vessel.

[0065] The propellant substance 150 may be a carbonating substance, e.g., carbon dioxide. However, it is noted that use of a non-carbonating propellant substance 150 is contemplated as well. For example, nitrogen (N2), nitrous oxide (N2O) may be used, nitrogen in liquid form (LN2) may be used, as well as inert gases such as argon which could be used in conjunction with other gases, such as CO2 or gaseous nitrogen. The enhancing substance may be any of the various flavoring or non-flavoring additives discussed above with respect to the method. Accordingly, the enhancing substance could be, e g., essential oil, a natural flavor essence, a flavor concentrate, a natural flavor, anatural flavor derivative, fruit, herb, spice, or a mixture thereof. The enhancing substance could similarly be, e.g., an oil, concentrate, mineral, salt, nootropic, caffeine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) or other non-flavoring additive or compound, or a mixture thereof. Different enhancing substances could be combined as well, such that the enhancing substance may be provided with both flavor based and nonflavor based characteristics.

[0066] In some embodiments, the pressure vessel body 130 may be formed from rolled or drawn metal, and as such, the pressure vessel body typically does not have any internal structure. Accordingly, no internal dividers or straw or syphon structures are provided internal to the cartridge 120. Further, the dispensing end 140 is typically not fitted with any valve or the like, such that when the pierceable membrane 170 is pierced, the internal space of the pressure vessel body 130 is exposed to atmosphere. Similarly, the cartridge 120 does not comprise an integrated valve.

[0067] In some embodiments, the cartridge has a carbon dioxide capacity of approximately 4-20 grams.

[0068] A carbonation device 100 may be provided in combination with the cartridge 120. As such, the carbonation device 100 may take the form of a container cap 100 for mounting to an opening 180 of a liquid container 110. The cartridge 120 is then positioned in the container cap 100, and the cartridge 120 contains a propellant substance 150 and an enhancing substance 160. The propellant substance 150 and the enhancing substance 160 may be any of the respective substances discussed above with respect to the cartridge 120. The container cap 100 then positions the cartridge 120 relative to the liquid container 110.

[0069] It is noted that the carbonation device 100 as shown in FIG. 2 shows the propellant substance 150 and the enhancing substance 160 in a particular configuration and separated. However, depending on the specific enhancing substance 160, such enhancing substance might be less dense than the propellant substance 150 (e.g., liquid C02). Accordingly, the enhancing substance 160 may in fact be above the propellantsubstance 150 instead of below. Additionally, if densities of the propellant substance 150 and the enhancing substance 160 are comparable and the substances are readily miscible, propellant substance 150 and enhancing substance 160 may be combined in a single mixture.

[0070] It is also noted that while propellant substance 150 in liquid phase is shown as completely filling the cartridge 120 when combined with the enhancing substance 160. However, the propellant substance 150 typically would not go all the way to the top of the cartridge 120, but rather there is a gaseous phase at the very top. Accordingly, the volume currently shown as occupied by the propellant substance 150 is actually divided into two sections, with liquid below and gaseous above (where the gaseous phase is typically about 20% of the total volume of the cartridge 120). In the event that enhancing substance 160 is not miscible and is less dense than the e.g., liquid CO2, these areas would stack with the liquid CO2 150 at the bottom, liquid additive 160 in between, and the gaseous phase at the top (about 20% of the volume). The gas may not be 100% gaseous CO2, but may be a mixture with the additive, depending on the vapor pressure of the additive. In the case of a separated additive 160 denser than liquid CO2 150 as in the embodiment shown, the additive is substantially forced out first and mixing occurs in the bottle 110. In the case of a separated additive with lower density, the mixture occurs primarily first in cartridge 120 and is further dispersed with the propellant (in this case liquid CO2, a carbonating substance 150).

[0071] It is further noted that while the device shown and described is referred to as a carbonation device 100 and the fluid contained in the cartridge 120 is sometimes referred to as a carbonating substance 150, it is contemplated that a non-carbonating cartridge 120 may be utilized as well. In such a non-carbonating cartridge 120, the propellant substance 150 may be a non-carbonating propellant, such as nitrogen, and may be used primarily as a flavor or enhancing delivering mechanism. The device 100 and cartridge 120 may be otherwise similar, but the carbonation feature would then not be used.

[0072] The carbonation device 100 then has a conduit 190 extending from the cartridge 120 to an interior of the liquid container 110 when the carbonation device 100 is fixed to the liquid container. The liquid container 110 typically contains liquid 200, which may be provided within the container up to a fill line 205. When the carbonating and / or propellant substance 150 is released from the cartridge 120, it then enters the interior of the liquid container 110 by way of the conduit 190. Because both the propellant substance 150 and the enhancing substance 160 are contained within the cartridge 120, when the propellant substance 150 is released, it drives the enhancing substance 160 out of the cartridge as well, such that the enhancing substance is infused into the liquid 200 contained within the liquid container 110.

[0073] As noted above, the cartridge 120 typically comprises a pressure vessel body 130 and a dispensing end 140, and the dispensing end is configured to be opened irreversibly. When located within the container cap 100, the cartridge 120 is positioned such that the dispensing end 140 faces downwards towards the liquid container 110. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing end 140 faces downwards such that the dispensing end is below the pressure vessel body 130.

[0074] Other characteristics of the pressure vessel body 130 discussed above apply in the context of the carbonation device 100 as well. Accordingly, the dispensing end 140 of the cartridge 120 may be provided with a pierceable membrane 170 which may be, e.g., metal, ceramic, or polymer. Once the membrane 170 is pierced, an internal cavity of the cartridge 120 may be irreversibly exposed to atmospheric pressure.

[0075] Further, in some embodiments, once the membrane 170 is pierced, flow from the cartridge 120 to the liquid container 110 is unobstructed by a flow restricting valve as the flow travels along the conduit 190. In some embodiments, at least one valve may be provided within or adjacent the conduit 190, namely a one-way valve 210 to prevent fluid flow from the liquid container 110 towards the cartridge 120 along the conduit 190. However, the one-way valve 210 typically would not obstruct flow from the cartridge 120 to the liquid container 110.

[0076] To the extent that a valve, such as the one-way valve 210 is provided within a flow path from the cartridge 120 to the interior of the liquid container 110, such a valve is typically actuated solely by exposure to pressure. In other words, a valve in the flow path would not selectively close or open a flow path based on a user selection or an external control determination.

[0077] The carbonation device 100 may further comprise a piercer 220 which may function to pierce the pierceable membrane 170. In such an embodiment, a carbonation sequence may be initiated by translating one of the piercer 220 and the cartridge 120 towards the other within the container cap 100. Accordingly, for example, an outer cap 230 of the container cap 100 may be fixed to an inner cap 240 by threading 250. Rotating the outer cap 230 relative to the inner cap 240 may then rotate the outer cap along the threading so as to translate the outer cap relative to the inner cap. The inner cap 240 may then include the piercer 220 and the outer and inner caps may combine to cradle the cartridge 120, such that rotating the outer cap 230 forces the cartridge 120 against the piercer in order to pierce the pierceable membrane 170.

[0078] In some embodiments, the injection process for injecting the propellant substance 150 into the liquid is modified to account for the enhancement. For example, a timing or level of compression may be modified to account for the additive in the propellant substance. Similarly, release valves may be tuned differently to account for different levels of pressurization and depressurization resulting from or made necessary because of the additives.

[0079] While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor forwhich an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for enhancing a beverage, the method comprising: obtaining a carbonating or non-carbonating propellant substance; applying an enhancing substance to the propellant substance to form an enhanced substance; compressing the enhanced substance such that it is maintained in gas and liquid form; and releasing the enhanced substance into a target liquid to generate an enhanced beverage.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancing substance is a flavoring or mineral additive.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the propellant substance is carbon dioxide and is a carbonating substance.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein upon applying the enhancing substance, the carbon dioxide is compressed into a cartridge and maintained in a stable liquid or gas form, and wherein the cartridge is shelf stable.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the propellant substance is nitrogen and is a noncarbonating propellant.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancing substance comprises at least one essential oil, natural flavor essence, flavor concentrate, natural flavor, natural flavor derivative, fruit, herb, spice, or a mixture thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancing substance comprises at least one oil, concentrate, mineral, salt, nootropic, caffeine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other non-flavoring additives or compounds, or a mixture thereof, for enhancing the beverage.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the carbon dioxide is provided in liquid form at higher than atmospheric pressure.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the enhancing substance is applied to the liquid carbon dioxide by adding the flavoring substance to a pressurized storage tank containing the carbon dioxide.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the enhancing substance is maintained as a discrete fluid separable from the carbon dioxide, such that the enhanced substance comprises discrete carbon dioxide and enhancing substance.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the target liquid is provided in a container and wherein the enhanced substance is maintained in a cartridge having a dispensing end, and wherein the method further comprises positioning the cartridge such that the dispensing end faces substantially downward and releasing the enhanced substance into the target liquid from above the target liquid by way of the dispensing end.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising piercing the dispensing end so as to irreversibly open the cartridge.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the cartridge has a carbon dioxide capacity of approximately 4 to 20 grams.

14. A cartridge comprising: a pressure vessel body having a dispensing end; a carbonating or non-carbonating propellant substance in liquid form maintained within the pressure vessel body at higher than atmospheric pressure; and an enhancing substance maintained within the pressure vessel body, wherein the dispensing end is configured to be opened irreversibly.

15. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein the pressure vessel body further comprises an uninterrupted internal cavity within which the propellant substance and the enhancing substance are retained prior to opening the dispensing end.

16. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein the pressure vessel body is formed from rolled or drawn metal and is not provided with any internal structure.

17. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein the dispensing end is provided with a pierceable membrane, and wherein once the membrane is pierced, an internal cavity of the cartridge is irreversibly exposed to atmospheric pressure.

18. The cartridge of claim 14 wherein the propellant substance is carbon dioxide and is a carbonating substance.

19. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the pressure vessel body has a capacity of approximately 4-20 grams of carbon dioxide.

20. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein the propellant substance is nitrogen and is a non-carbonating propellant.

21. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein the enhancing substance comprises at least one essential oil, natural flavor essence, flavor concentrate, natural flavor, natural flavor derivative, fruit, herb, spice, or a mixture thereof.

22. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein the enhancing substance comprises at least one oil, concentrate, mineral, salt, nootropic, caffeine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other non-flavoring additives or compounds, or a mixture thereof, for enhancing the beverage.

23. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein the dispensing end is not fitted with a valve.

24. A carbonation device comprising: a container cap for mounting to an opening of a liquid container; a cartridge positioned in the container cap, the cartridge containing a carbonating or non-carbonating propellant substance and an enhancing substance, wherein the container cap positions the cartridge relative to the liquid container; and a conduit extending from the cartridge to an interior of the liquid container, wherein the propellant substance, when released from the cartridge, enters the interior of the liquid container.

25. The carbonation device of claim 24, wherein the cartridge comprises a pressure vessel body and a dispensing end, and wherein the dispensing end is configured to be opened irreversibly.

26. The carbonation device of claim 25, wherein the container cap positions the cartridge such that the dispensing end faces downwards towards the liquid container.

27. The carbonation device of claim 26, wherein the pressure vessel body further comprises an uninterrupted internal cavity within which the propellant substance and the enhancing substance are retained prior to opening the dispensing end.

28. The carbonation device of claim 26, wherein the pressure vessel body is formed from rolled or drawn metal and is not provided with any internal structure.

29. The carbonation device of claim 24, wherein the dispensing end of the cartridge is provided with a pierceable membrane, and wherein once the membrane is pierced, an internal cavity of the cartridge is irreversibly exposed to atmospheric pressure.

30. The carbonation device of claim 29, wherein once the pierceable membrane is pierced, flow from the cartridge to the liquid container is unobstructed by a flow restricting valve.

31. The carbonation device of claim 30, wherein the conduit comprises a one-way valve to prevent fluid flow from the liquid container towards the cartridge.

32. The carbonation device of claim 29, wherein the cartridge does not comprise an integrated valve.

33. The carbonation device of claim 29, wherein any valve in a flow path from the cartridge to the liquid container is actuated solely by exposure to pressure.

34. The carbonation device of claim 29 further comprising a piercer for piercing the pierceable membrane, and wherein a carbonation sequence is initiated by translating one of the piercer and the cartridge towards the other within the container cap.

35. The carbonation device of claim 24 wherein the propellant substance is carbon dioxide and is a carbonating substance.

36. The carbonation device of claim 35, wherein the pressure vessel body has a capacity of approximately 4-20 grams of carbon dioxide.

37. The carbonation device of claim 24, wherein the propellant substance is nitrogen and is a non-carbonating propellant.

38. The carbonation device of claim 24, wherein the enhancing substance comprises at least one essential oil, natural flavor essence, flavor concentrate, natural flavor, natural flavor derivative, fruit, herb, spice, or a mixture thereof.

39. The carbonation device of claim 24, wherein the enhancing substance comprises at least one oil, concentrate, mineral, salt, nootropic, caffeine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other non-flavoring additives or compounds, or a mixture thereof, for enhancing the beverage.

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