Beverage Container Nanosurface for Nitrogen Bubble Nucleation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for initiating bubble formation in nitrogen supersaturated beverages, such as stout beer, require specialized equipment and are not easily incorporated into packaging, leading to economic losses and limitations in canning speeds.
Innovation Solution
A nanoscale structured surface with pits of 6-100nm diameter and greater than 15nm deep, applied to the inner surface of beverage containers, promotes nitrogen and mixed gas bubble nucleation and growth, eliminating the need for widgets or other foam-initiation mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized equipment (widget, ultrasonic unit, restrictor plate) is used to initiate bubble formation, then bubble nucleation and head formation are effective, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the nucleation function from separate equipment (widget, ultrasonic unit) and integrates it directly into the container surface through nanoscale structures. The nanoscale pits and protrusions are formed directly on the container interior surface, eliminating the need for separate nucleation devices while maintaining effective bubble formation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the container structure with the nucleation function by forming nanoscale structures directly on the container surface. The container wall itself becomes the nucleation surface, combining storage and bubble initiation functions into a single integrated component
2Reliability
If specialized equipment (widget, ultrasonic unit) is used for bubble initiation, then nucleation is effective, but manufacturing speed and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The nanoscale structures are formed on the container surface during the manufacturing process itself, before the beverage is filled. This preliminary creation of nucleation sites eliminates the need for additional equipment during filling operations, maintaining high production speeds while ensuring effective nucleation
3Reliability
If specialized equipment (restrictor plate, ultrasonic unit, widget) is used, then bubble formation is controlled, but manufacturing cost and economic loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container surface provides its own nucleation function through integrated nanoscale structures, making the system self-sufficient. The container itself serves as the nucleation device, eliminating the need for additional components like widgets or ultrasonic units that会增加 manufacturing cost and 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 nanoscale surface structure enables efficient bubble nucleation and growth, simplifying the canning process, reducing costs, and producing a stable, creamy head in beverages by creating a large number of small bubbles upon opening, without the need for additional apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention relates to a beverage container or, more specifically, a surface to be incorporated into a beverage package/container that promotes bubble nucleation and growth
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage container or package that includes an internal surface for promoting nitrogen bubble nucleation and growth. The surface incorporates a plurality of nanoscale structures, e.g. between 6 and 100 nanometres in size. Most preferably the structures are pits, greater than 15 nm in depth/height. Upon opening the container filled with a Nitrogen (and carbon dioxide) supersaturated beverage, a foaming effect occurs which provides a desirable head of fine bubbles when transferred to a drinking glass.