Pressurized Gas Beverage Nucleator for Ice Crystal Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for initiating ice crystal nucleation in supercooled beverages are limited, as they often require carbonation, ultrasound, or physical stimulation that can damage containers or pose hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A beverage nucleator system that uses a directed flow of pressurized gas to initiate ice crystal nucleation in supercooled beverages, without the need for a fluid transmission medium or risk of container damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasound waves are used to initiate ice crystal nucleation, then nucleation effectiveness is improved, but hygiene concerns and operational complexity increase due to requiring a fluid transmission medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fluid transmission medium from the ultrasound nucleation process, extracting only the essential function of ice crystal initiation while eliminating the hygiene problems associated with water baths and fluid contact with beverage containers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasound transmission system requiring fluid medium with a direct acoustic or vibration-based mechanism that can initiate nucleation without contact fluid, substituting the transmission medium requirement with a more direct energy transfer method
2Reliability
If impact pressure is applied by dropping or striking the beverage container, then ice crystal nucleation is initiated, but container damage and product damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the crude mechanical impact method (dropping or striking containers) with a controlled vibration or acoustic wave system that delivers the necessary mechanical energy for nucleation without the uncontrolled forces that cause container damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of mechanical energy delivery from high-impact, short-duration forces to controlled, lower-magnitude vibrations or acoustic waves that achieve nucleation initiation without exceeding container structural limits
3Adaptability or versatility
If carbonation is relied upon to initiate ice crystal nucleation through pressure drop, then nucleation occurs in carbonated beverages, but applicability is limited to carbonated products only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal nucleation system that can initiate ice crystal formation in all types of beverages (carbonated, non-carbonated, dairy-based, sports drinks, coffees, teas) through a common mechanism, making the system multi-functional across different beverage categories
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 initiates ice crystal nucleation in various types of beverages, including non-carbonated ones, while ensuring the safety and integrity of the container, and can be easily implemented before the beverage warms up.
Implementation Method 1
a directed flow of pressurized gas to the exterior of the fluid container containing a supercooled beverage
Implementation Method 2
ice crystals may form after energy is otherwise imparted to the beverage to initiate nucleation of the ice crystals
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to a beverage nucleator system that can initiate ice crystal nucleation by application of a directed flow of pressurized gas to the exterior of the fluid container containing a supercooled beverage. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a beverage nucleator system for a supercooled beverage container which may include a frame having a beverage container aperture for receiving a beverage container therein and a gas outlet positioned within the beverage container aperture for directing a flow of pressurized gas at a beverage container received therein.