Foamable Beer Dispensing with Segmented Reservoir Formulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beer production methods require multiple weeks and result in quality degradation due to oxidative processes, making it difficult to produce high-quality beer quickly and customize flavors.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that combines specific ingredients, including proteins and hop bitter acids, to create a drinkable foaming or foamable beer in under 15 minutes, allowing for quick production and customization of beer flavors without quality loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional beverage preparation methods are used, then the preparation process is simple, but the beverage lacks a creamy mouthfeel and stable foam structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam stabilityVSAvoidpreparation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage system is segmented into distinct functional components: a foaming liquid containing specific proteins and lipids, a carbonated liquid, and a dispensing device with specific nozzle geometry. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together to achieve stable foam and creamy mouthfeel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention specifies precise parameter ranges for the foaming liquid including protein content (0.1-10% w/v), lipid content (0.01-5% w/v), and particle size distribution (D10, D50, D90 values). These parameter changes transform conventional beverages into systems that produce stable foam and creamy mouthfeel through controlled physical and chemical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If complex foam-stabilizing ingredients are added, then foam stability improves, but the beverage composition becomes more complex and harder to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemouthfeel consistencyVSAvoidbeverage composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention defines specific parameter ranges for composition elements (proteins 0.1-10% w/v, lipids 0.01-5% w/v, particle sizes with specific D10/D50/D90 values) that optimize mouthfeel and foam stability. These controlled parameter changes provide consistency without requiring complex ingredient lists.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The foaming liquid is formulated as a composite material containing proteins, lipids, and particles in specific ratios and size distributions. This composite structure provides both foam stability and creamy mouthfeel through the synergistic interaction of its components rather than relying on complex individual ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If high pressure is applied during dispensing, then foam generation is enhanced, but energy consumption increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam generation efficiencyVSAvoiddispensing energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage is pre-carbonated and the foaming liquid is pre-formulated with specific protein, lipid, and particle characteristics before dispensing. This preliminary preparation enables efficient foam generation during dispensing without requiring excessive pressure or energy input, as the components are already optimized for foam formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the carbonation (dissolved gas) already present in the beverage and the fluid dynamics of dispensing through a specifically designed nozzle to generate foam. This pneumatic-hydraulic approach leverages the existing gas content and flow characteristics rather than requiring additional high-pressure mechanical input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Reliability

If multiple processing steps are used, then beverage quality improves, but preparation time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage qualityVSAvoidpreparation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The foaming liquid is pre-formulated with specific proteins, lipids, and particles in optimal ratios and size distributions before dispensing. The beverage is pre-carbonated. These preliminary actions ensure that when the beverage is dispensed, foam and creamy mouthfeel are generated immediately without requiring multiple subsequent processing steps, thus maintaining quality while improving speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables rapid production of customized beer with desired organoleptic properties, eliminating undesirable compounds and producing beer types previously impossible with conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

A beverage preparation system and method for generating foam and a creamy mouthfeel when dispensing a non-dairy beverage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoam formation: Foam

Implementation Method 2

the carbonated liquid and the foaming liquid are combined in a beverage preparation system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbonation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4514146B1A combination for use in the preparation of a drinkable foaming or foamable liquid, a device and a method for preparing and dispensing a drinkable foaming or foamable liquid
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 BAR ON BV
  • EP4514146B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Methods for preparing foaming or foamable beer or beer-like beverages, devices for preparing and dispensing foaming or foamable beer or beer-like beverages and combinations for use in the preparation of foaming or foamable beer or beer-like beverages are disclosed. The devices comprise individual reservoirs comprising ingredients and ingredient mixtures and means or combinations of means to add ingredients or ingredient mixtures from individual reservoirs comprising ingredients and ingredient mixtures and dispense into a container to obtain a foaming or foamable beer or beer-like beverage in a container. The combinations for use comprise individual reservoirs comprising ingredients and ingredient mixtures and means or combinations of means to add ingredients or ingredient mixtures from individual reservoirs comprising ingredients and ingredient mixtures and dispense into a container to obtain a foaming or foamable beer or beer-like beverage in a container.