Inverted Beverage Container Assembly for Simplified Pressure Dispensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage dispensing assemblies are complex in design, difficult to use, and require specific containers and dispensers for operation, lacking in user-friendly features and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A beverage dispensing assembly with a transparent lid that allows visibility of the container, supports various container orientations, and includes a disposable dispensing line, cooling mechanism, and adjustable gas connectors for easy use and energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a closure and pressure space system is used to pressurize the beverage container, then the beverage can be dispensed under pressure, but the design becomes complex and requires specific container-dispenser cooperation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage dispensing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the closure and pressure space system from the dispenser and relocates it to the beverage container itself. The container is sealed with a closure that creates a pressure space, eliminating the need for a separate dispenser pressure system. This simplifies the overall assembly design while maintaining reliable pressurized dispensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The beverage container is designed to be self-pressurizing through its own closure mechanism. The container automatically creates and maintains the pressure space internally without requiring external pressurization equipment from the dispenser, making the system more independent and less complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the container is inverted during use with outflow opening facing downward, then gravity assists beverage flow, but the container and dispenser must be specifically designed to cooperate for closing the pressure space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage flow easeVSAvoidcontainer-dispenser cooperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the complex closure mechanism from the dispenser and places it directly on the container. The container's own closure serves as the seal for the pressure space, eliminating the need for intricate container-dispenser cooperation mechanisms while maintaining easy operation through gravity-assisted flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a transparent lid is added to allow visibility of the container, then customer appeal and visual monitoring are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomer appeal and visibilityVSAvoiddispenser structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent lid serves multiple functions: it allows customer visibility and monitoring of the beverage container while also acting as a protective cover and structural component of the dispenser. This multi-functionality adds visual appeal without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Temperature

If cooling mechanism is integrated into the dispenser, then beverage temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage temperature controlVSAvoiddispenser energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of cooling the entire dispenser or large volumes of beverage, the cooling mechanism is applied locally to the specific region where the beverage container is held. This targeted approach provides effective temperature control while minimizing overall energy consumption by cooling only what is necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a user-friendly, energy-efficient, and visually appealing solution for dispensing beverages, enhancing customer appeal and reducing maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

cooling mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

a pressure is built up inside said inner space, compressing the container and thus pressurizing the beverage for dispensing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3625165B1Beverage dispensing assembly and beverage container
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN BV
  • EP3625165B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP3625165B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3625165B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Beverage dispensing assembly and beverage container Beverage dispensing assembly (1), comprising a dispenser (2) and a beverage container (3), wherein the beverage container (3) has a neck portion (7) and a shoulder portion (8) adjacent the neck portion (7), wherein the neck portion (7) is provided with at least an outflow opening and at least one gas inlet opening (9) and wherein the dispenser (2) comprises a housing (4), wherein the housing (4) is provided with a receptacle (5) for receiving at least part of the container (3), wherein the container (3) is positioned in the dispenser (2) with the neck (7) and shoulder portion (8) facing downward, such that the neck portion (7) and at least part of the shoulder portion (8) are received in the receptacle (5), wherein part of the shoulder portion (8) extends close to and/or is in contact with a wall of the receptacle (5), wherein preferably a lid (12) is provided over the container (3), enclosing a part of the container (3) extending outside the receptacle (5).