Beverage Carbonation System Sealing and Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage carbonation systems fail to maintain carbonation levels over time, leading to 'flat' beverages, and there is a desire for a home-based system that can conveniently carbonate beverages for immediate or later consumption while preserving freshness.
Innovation Solution
A beverage carbonation system comprising a container and a carbonator that engages with the container, using a carbon dioxide source to carbonate liquids, with mechanisms for sealing and recirculating carbon dioxide to maintain pressure and freshness, including a port actuator, waste reservoir, and flavor chamber for added flavoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a beverage carbonation system is used in the home, then convenience and cost are improved, but the ability to maintain carbonation levels over time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses carbon dioxide gas to create an inert atmosphere within the sealed container, preventing oxidation and maintaining beverage freshness. The carbonator introduces CO2 into the container, displacing oxygen and creating a protective environment that preserves carbonation levels over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes air (oxygen) from the container by replacing it with carbon dioxide. The carbonator forces CO2 through the beverage, expelling dissolved oxygen and other gases, then seals the container to maintain the modified atmosphere, thereby preventing carbonation loss.
2Loss of substance
If the container is sealed to maintain carbonation, then carbonation loss is reduced, but pressure buildup may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary carbonation by forcing carbon dioxide through the beverage before sealing the container. This pre-carbonation process ensures the beverage is adequately carbonated, reducing the need for additional CO2 introduction after sealing and minimizing subsequent pressure buildup.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbonator uses periodic pulsing of carbon dioxide gas through the beverage rather than continuous flow. This periodic action allows for controlled carbonation while managing pressure fluctuations, and the system can pause between cycles to equalize pressure before sealing.
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 system effectively maintains carbonation levels in beverages, allowing for immediate or later consumption by sealing the container and recirculating carbon dioxide, reducing carbonation loss and preserving the freshness of carbonated beverages.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pump in fluid communication with the container chamber and the carbonation chamber to transfer the liquid between the container chamber and the carbonation chamber
Implementation Method 2
a carbonation chamber containing a carbon dioxide source that produces a carbon dioxide gas
Implementation Method 3
The carbonator inlet port is in fluid communication with the carbonation chamber to transfer the carbon dioxide gas between the carbonation chamber and the container chamber when the container is engaged with the carbonator, thereby carbonating the liquid
Implementation Method 4
When the container is disengaged from the carbonator, the container outlet valve and the container inlet valve are closed to fluidly seal the container containing the carbonated liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage carbonation system, container, carbonator and method for carbonating a beverage are provided. The beverage carbonation system has a container that is removably engageable with a carbonator. The container has a container outlet valve and a container inlet valve that are fluidly engageable with a carbonator outlet port and carbonator inlet port, respectively. At least one pump transfers liquid and carbon dioxide gas between a container chamber and a carbonation chamber when the container is engaged with the carbonator, thereby carbonating the liquid. When the container is disengaged from the carbonator, the container outlet valve and the container inlet valve are closed to fluidly seal the container containing the carbonated liquid.