Beverage Dispensing System with Segmented Gas Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage and serving installations for drinks, such as wine, do not adequately consider the specific chemistry of each drink, leading to potential alteration or suboptimal serving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A storage and serving installation that includes drink storage means, gas storage means with multiple types of gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon), temperature regulation means, and a gas mixer to create specific gas mixtures tailored to each type of drink, ensuring optimal serving conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single type of gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) is used to propel all beverages, then the system is simple to operate, but the chemistry of certain beverages (e.g., white wine) is altered and taste characteristics are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gas supply into separate storage containers for different gas types (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon) and creates dedicated gas lines for different beverage types. This segmentation allows each beverage to receive its appropriate propellant gas while maintaining system operational simplicity through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides different gas compositions tailored to specific beverage requirements. Carbon dioxide is used for sparkling beverages, while nitrogen or argon mixtures are used for white wines to prevent oxidation and maintain chemical integrity. Each beverage storage container is connected to the gas mixer that can deliver the locally appropriate gas composition.
2Stability of the object's composition
If different gases are used for different beverages, then the taste and chemistry of each drink is preserved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple gas storage means and mixing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple gas storage containers are merged into a single gas mixer unit that can combine different gases in various proportions. The mixer has multiple outlets that can each deliver different gas compositions to different beverage containers. This merging approach reduces the number of separate distribution systems needed while maintaining the ability to provide tailored gas compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas mixer serves multiple functions: it can store different gas types, mix them in various proportions, and deliver different gas compositions to different beverage containers through its multiple outlets. This multi-functional device reduces overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate storage and distribution systems for each beverage type.
3Device complexity
If beverages are stored without temperature regulation, then the system is simpler and requires less energy, but the shelf life of beverages is reduced and serving conditions are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses inert or less reactive gases (nitrogen, argon) to displace oxygen in the beverage storage containers. This creates an inert atmosphere that prevents oxidation and chemical degradation of the beverages, significantly extending their shelf life. The gas mixer can deliver appropriate inert gas compositions to each beverage container to maintain optimal storage conditions.
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 installation effectively maintains the chemical integrity and taste characteristics of drinks by using appropriate gases, thereby extending the storage duration and ensuring optimal serving conditions for various types of drinks.
Implementation Method 1
The mixer has several outlets each capable of delivering either a gas or a mixture of gases in the determined proportions, to propel the corresponding beverage
Implementation Method 2
the beverage temperature control means comprises a plurality of beverage temperature control devices, each controlling the beverage temperature through different piping networks
Implementation Method 3
means for serving beverages capable of dispensing stored beverages which are propelled by gas
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an installation (1) for storing and dispensing at least two different types of beverages under pressure, comprising: - beverage storage means (30); - gas storage means (40); - beverage temperature control means (50); - beverage dispensing means (60) capable of distributing the stored beverages, which are propelled by gas; - piping networks (70) connecting the means (30, 40, 50, 60) of the installation (1). According to the invention, the gas storage means (40) comprise several types of gas (41) stored separately, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or argon, and each beverage storage means is connected to a type of gas appropriate to the beverage to be dispensed.