Flexible Beverage Dispensing Assembly with Pressure Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal kegs for large-volume carbonated beverages are heavy, costly, and difficult to handle, leading to high transportation costs and storage issues, while existing dispensing systems require complex setups and frequent cleaning, often resulting in suboptimal beverage quality due to external parameters like pressure and temperature.
Innovation Solution
A flexible dispensing assembly using collapsible plastic beverage containers with a simple, ergonomic design that eliminates contact with gases during dispensing, incorporating a cooling system and adjustable pressure chamber for optimal beverage quality, and features a disposable design to minimize maintenance and handling challenges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal kegs are used for large-volume carbonated beverages, then the beverage can be stored and transported, but the kegs become heavy and costly, leading to high transportation costs and handling difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs single-use plastic beverage containers instead of reusable metal kegs. These disposable containers are lightweight, eliminate transportation costs for empty kegs, and remove the need for cleaning and maintenance infrastructure. The container is designed to be used once and then discarded, converting the reusable metal keg system into a disposable plastic container system that solves the weight and cost problems.
2Ease of operation
If conventional dispensing assemblies are used with metal kegs, then beverage dispensing is achieved, but the system becomes complex requiring coolers, carbon dioxide cartridges, and regular cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex external dispensing infrastructure from the system. Instead of using metal kegs requiring coolers, carbon dioxide cartridges, and cleaning systems, the beverage container itself is designed with integrated dispensing capabilities. The container includes a breakable seal and a valve mechanism that allows direct dispensing without external equipment, removing the complexity of conventional dispensing assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage container is designed to be self-sufficient, with integrated sealing, pressurization, and dispensing mechanisms. The breakable seal automatically breaks when the cap is removed, and the valve system controls dispensing without requiring external carbon dioxide cartridges or coolers. This self-service design eliminates the need for complex external equipment and regular maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If reusable parts contact the beverage during dispensing, then the beverage can be dispensed, but the parts require regular cleaning to prevent bacteria growth and maintain quality
Solution Approach 1:
The entire beverage container including all internal components that contact the beverage is designed as a single disposable unit. The plastic container, breakable seal, and valve mechanism are all intended for single use and then discarded. This eliminates the need for cleaning reusable parts, as everything that contacts the beverage is replaced with a new container after each use, solving the time loss and hygiene maintenance problems.
4Productivity
If external pressure is applied to empty collapsible bottles, then the beverage can be squeezed out, but the bottle becomes fragile for practical purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters and structural design of the collapsible container. Instead of using thin-walled plastic bottles that become fragile under pressure, the invention uses a robust plastic container design that can withstand external pressure for squeezing while maintaining durability. The container structure is optimized to distribute pressure evenly and maintain strength throughout the dispensing process, making it suitable for practical use.
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 assembly ensures improved beverage quality by maintaining optimal taste, texture, and aroma, reduces handling and storage complexities, and extends the shelf life of beverages, while being cost-effective and user-friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure chamber (2) provided with a lid (9), said pressure chamber being adapted during use to accommodate said beverage container
Implementation Method 2
The assembly comprises a heat transfer system, said heat transfer system being adapted to provide cooling or heating to at least said pressure chamber (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly (1,1') for dispensing a beverage. The assembly comprises a heat transfer system, said heat transfer system being adapted to provide cooling or heating to at least a pressure chamber (2); said pressure chamber being adapted during use to accommodate a beverage container (19), said beverage container being made of a collapsible material and a connecting element (21) being arranged at an outlet of the beverage container (19); said pressure chamber (2) comprises a wall and a lid defining the accommodation for the beverage container (19); said pressure chamber (2) is furthermore provided with a pressure source, said pressure source being adapted to provide a predetermined pressure to the pressure chamber (2); and during use of the assembly (1,1') a dispensing line (32) is connected with an outlet of said beverage container (19) and extends from the outlet through an opening in the lid of the pressure chamber (2) to a dispensing tap. The dispensing of beverage is carried out by providing the predetermined pressure to the pressure chamber (2) and as the dispensing line is being opened at the dispensing tap the pressure will apply a pressure to the exterior of the beverage container (19), which will start to collapse, whereby the beverage will be forced out of the beverage container (19) into the dispensing line (32) and out at the dispensing tap without said beverage per se being supplied with or in contact with any gas during the dispensing.