Post-Mix Beverage Cartridge With Piercing Valve Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage dispensing systems generate excessive waste, are complex and costly, and require frequent calibration, while also being unsuitable for consumer use due to their size and complexity, and they do not effectively address the environmental impact of plastic bottle waste.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing system comprising a cartridge and attachment mechanism that allows for easy mixing of beverage ingredients with a liquid, such as water, within a container, using a piercing and valve assembly to combine the ingredients, reducing waste and simplifying the process for consumer use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If concentrated beverage syrups are used in post-mix systems, then waste associated with plastic bottles is reduced, but the systems become large, expensive, and too complicated for consumer use
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a simple dispensing mechanism and replaceable cartridges containing the concentrated syrup. This segmentation allows the complex syrup storage and dosing functions to be pre-packaged in cartridges, while the dispensing unit remains simple and consumer-friendly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses disposable cartridges that contain pre-measured concentrated syrup. These single-use cartridges eliminate the need for complex calibration and cleaning systems, reducing overall system complexity while minimizing waste through efficient syrup concentration.
2Productivity
If conventional post-mix systems are used, then large quantities of beverages can be dispensed, but frequent calibration is required to maintain correct syrup-to-liquid ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The correct syrup-to-liquid ratio is pre-determined during cartridge manufacturing. The cartridges are designed with specific flow characteristics and syrup quantities that ensure proper mixing ratios without requiring field calibration or adjustment by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically maintains correct mixing ratios through the cartridge design itself, which incorporates flow restrictors and chamber geometries that self-regulate the syrup flow rate. This eliminates the need for manual calibration and ensures consistent beverage quality.
3Ease of operation
If plastic bottles are used for beverage distribution, then consumer convenience is improved, but environmental waste is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the concentration parameter of the beverage product. By distributing highly concentrated syrup instead of ready-to-drink beverages, the volume of packaging material is dramatically reduced while the consumer receives the same final product volume through mixing with water at home.
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 minimizes waste by using a cartridge-based approach that is user-friendly, reduces the need for complex machinery, and ensures consistent beverage quality without frequent calibration, while also being environmentally friendly by reducing plastic bottle usage.
Implementation Method 1
The piercing portion (124) may generally pierce the cartridge, thereby releasing the contents of the cartridge into the container
Implementation Method 2
The valve assembly (126) may generally open upon engagement of the cartridge with the attachment mechanism thereby allowing the mixing of the contents of the container with the contents of the cartridge
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2A1~2B2
AI summary
A cartridge (150) for use with a beverage dispensing system comprising a container and an attachment mechanism is disclosed. The cartridge comprises a pod (152) with a chamber (156), an opening (158) and a cover (160) located over the opening, which cover is a foil seal, and a cap (154) including a foil retainer.