Beverage Carbonator with Pre-Stored CO2 and Reactant Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home carbonating devices require special bottles and take a long time to carbonate beverages, as they need to generate carbon dioxide internally through mixing acid and sodium bicarbonate, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A beverage carbonating device that includes a carbon dioxide production unit to mix reactants and produce carbon dioxide, a pressure container to store the produced carbon dioxide in a pressurized gaseous state, and a gas outlet valve to release the carbon dioxide instantly into a beverage, allowing for fast and efficient carbonation without the need for special bottles or CO2 cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbon dioxide is produced internally by mixing acid and sodium bicarbonate, then the device is more sustainable and eliminates CO2 cartridges, but the carbonation process takes quite a while
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by producing and storing carbon dioxide in advance in a storage container before it is needed for carbonation. The CO2 production unit generates carbon dioxide by mixing acid and sodium bicarbonate, and this produced CO2 is stored in the storage container under pressure. When carbonation is needed, the pre-stored CO2 is quickly released into the beverage, achieving fast carbonation without the lengthy real-time reaction process.
2Reliability
If special bottles with inlet and outlet valves are used, then the system can function properly, but the device complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a carbonation system that can work with ordinary beverage containers without requiring special bottles with complex inlet and outlet valve interfaces. The system uses a single outlet valve on the carbonator that can dispense carbonated beverage into any standard container, making the device compatible with everyday bottles and glasses while maintaining full functionality.
3Speed
If CO2 cartridges are used, then carbonation is fast and reliable, but the handling and frequent exchange of cartridges is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the device to produce its own carbon dioxide internally through a CO2 production unit that mixes acid and sodium bicarbonate. The produced CO2 is stored in a storage container and reused for multiple carbonation cycles. This eliminates the need for external CO2 cartridges and their frequent replacement, while maintaining fast carbonation performance through the pre-stored CO2.
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 device can carbonate beverages quickly and efficiently, matching the speed of CO2 cartridge-based systems while eliminating the need for special bottles and reducing waste, offering a more sustainable and user-friendly solution.
Implementation Method 1
a carbon dioxide production unit that is configured to produce carbon dioxide gas by mixing reactants, e.g. at least two reactants
Implementation Method 2
a pressure container that is fluidly connected or connectable to the carbon dioxide production unit and configured to store the produced carbon dioxide gas in a pressurized gaseous state
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a beverage carbonating device, including a carbon dioxide production unit that is configured to produce carbon dioxide gas by mixing reactants; a pressure container that is fluidly connected to the carbon dioxide production unit and configured to store the produced carbon dioxide gas in a pressurized gaseous state; and a gas outlet valve that is fluidly connected to the pressure container and configured to seal the pressure container when being closed and to release the carbon dioxide gas in the gaseous state from the pressure container when being opened.