Chilled Beverage Dispensing With Nitrogen Membrane Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively infuse nitrogen or nitrogen/carbon dioxide into non-carbonated beverages like coffee or tea to enhance flavor and appearance, and lack a cost-effective, user-friendly solution for both commercial and residential use.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained beverage dispensing system using a bag-in-box container, nitrogen gas supply, and a liquid/gas contactor membrane unit to infuse nitrogen or nitrogen/carbon dioxide into beverages, eliminating the need for pressurization and incorporating a slow pour faucet for controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional pressurized systems are used to infuse gas into beverages, then gas infusion capability is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase due to required pressurization equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressurization function from the system by using a bag-in-box container that relies on atmospheric pressure and gravity for beverage flow. This eliminates the need for complex pressurization equipment, secondary regulators, and gas supply systems to the container, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining gas infusion capability through the membrane contactor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid/gas contactor membrane unit as an intermediary between the nitrogen gas supply and the beverage. This membrane contactor allows nitrogen to dissolve into the beverage without requiring pressurization of the beverage container, enabling gas infusion while maintaining system simplicity and using atmospheric pressure only.
2Ease of operation
If nitrogen gas is infused into non-carbonated beverages, then flavor and appearance are enhanced, but additional equipment and operational complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function and gas infusion function into a single integrated system. The chiller unit cools the beverage in the bag-in-box container, and the same system provides nitrogen through the membrane contactor during dispensing. This combination eliminates the need for separate equipment and simplifies operation for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-contained and self-regulating. The bag-in-box container automatically controls beverage flow through the pump without requiring pressurization or complex control systems. The membrane contactor automatically infuses nitrogen as beverage passes through, and the chiller maintains temperature without user intervention, making the system user-friendly despite the added functionality.
3Device complexity
If a bag-in-box container is used instead of pressurized tanks, then system cost and complexity are reduced, but beverage flow control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a diaphragm pump to control beverage flow from the bag-in-box container. The pump creates negative pressure to draw beverage through the system, providing precise flow control without requiring pressurization of the container. This hydraulic approach maintains system simplicity while solving the flow control challenge.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane contactor serves as an intermediary that maintains a pressure differential across the membrane, allowing nitrogen to dissolve into the beverage while the beverage flows from the unpressurized bag-in-box container. This intermediary component enables both flow control and gas infusion without pressurizing the container.
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 provides a unique flavor and appearance enhancement by dissolving nitrogen into non-carbonated beverages, creating a foamy head upon dispensing, suitable for commercial establishments and residential use.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid/gas contactor membrane unit to infuse nitrogen or nitrogen/carbon dioxide into beverages
Implementation Method 2
a chiller or refrigeration unit that cools at least the beverage tank or bag in box container
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooled beverage-dispensing system comprises a beverage tank (2) capable of being pressurized, a controlled pressurized supply (4) of a gas comprising 50 wt.% or more nitrogen, a liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (8), a diaphragm pump (10), and a beverage faucet (3) attached downstream to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit. The regulated pressure nitrogen gas is fed through supply lines to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit, the diaphragm pump and through a secondary regulator (7) to the beverage tank.