Dispensing Tap Flow Sequencing to Minimize Beverage Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing systems generate excessive foam when mixing non-carbonated liquids, such as concentrates or syrups, with carbonated liquids like water, due to improper mixing techniques.
Innovation Solution
A beverage mixing and dispensing system that uses separate supply lines for each liquid, controlled by a control unit and sensors, initiates the flow of the first liquid before the second liquid, ensuring precise synchronization to minimize foam formation by delaying the mixing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If non-carbonated liquid is mixed with carbonated liquid during dispensing, then beverage mixing is achieved, but excessive foam is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-flushes the dispensing line with carbonated liquid before introducing the non-carbonated liquid. This preliminary action prepares the dispensing environment to receive the non-carbonated liquid without causing excessive foam when the two liquids mix, as the line is already conditioned with carbonated liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing process is segmented into distinct phases: first dispensing carbonated liquid to prime the line, then introducing non-carbonated liquid. By separating the dispensing of the two liquids in time rather than mixing them simultaneously in the dispensing line, the system prevents excessive foam generation while still achieving the desired beverage mixture at the point of consumption.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If separate supply lines are used for each liquid, then foam formation is controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing tap assembly serves multiple functions: it dispenses carbonated liquid, introduces non-carbonated liquid, mixes the two liquids, and controls the dispensing flow all through a single integrated component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex supply line configurations while maintaining foam control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the supply lines for carbonated and non-carbonated liquids into a unified dispensing assembly where both liquids are delivered through the same tap structure. By combining the delivery mechanisms rather than keeping them completely separate, the system simplifies the overall device architecture while still enabling controlled mixing and foam management.
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 effectively reduces and controls foam formation by precisely timing the flow of liquids, ensuring a desired amount of foam in the dispensed drink.
Implementation Method 1
a inner guide channel to guide and accommodate a cooling circuit to provide or keep the liquids and the drink at a predetermined temperature until being dispensed
Implementation Method 2
one or more propellants... to enable operation and flow of liquids and propellants from one or more containers containing the liquids
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage mixing and dispensing system and a dispensing font device and/or dispensing tap configured to dispense a drink (D) from a mixture of at least a first main liquid (F1) and of a second liquid (F2) by use of one or more electrical pumps, one or more propellants, one or more regulators, one or more valves, one or more gas or liquid flow regulators and one or more control units operatively connected to enable operation and flow of liquids and propellants from one or more containers containing the liquids when dispensing the drink (D) via one or more beverage dispensing font devices and/or dispensing taps.