Jet-Shooter Beverage Tapping for Propellant-Less Foam Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing draft cocktail systems require high-pressure nitrogen or nitrogen-carbon dioxide propellants, which are costly and pose health risks, and fine mesh filters easily clog when serving cocktails with fresh fruit juices, necessitating complex and time-consuming cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A propellant-less method using a non-gaseous foaming agent and a jet-shooter attachment to form a foam head by pressurizing a non-carbonated pre-mixture through a tapping assembly, eliminating the need for gas cylinders and reducing filter clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-pressure nitrogen or nitrogen-carbon dioxide propellants are used to serve cocktails on tap, then the beverage can be dispensed efficiently and a foam head can be formed, but the system becomes costly and poses health risks to personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful propellant gas (nitrogen) from the system by using a propellant-less dispensing mechanism. Instead of storing and pressurizing with nitrogen gas, the system uses a pump to circulate the cocktail beverage through the tap system, eliminating the need for propellant cylinders and associated health risks while maintaining efficient serving capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pump as an intermediary device to replace the propellant gas function. The pump circulates the beverage through the system and creates the necessary pressure to dispense the cocktail, while also facilitating foam formation through the restriction plate without requiring high-pressure nitrogen
2Reliability
If fine mesh filters are used in nitrogen infusion modules to infuse nitrogen into the beverage, then a foam head can be formed, but the filters easily clog when serving cocktails with fresh fruit juices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fine mesh filters from the system by eliminating the nitrogen infusion process. Instead of forcing nitrogen through filters into the beverage, the system uses a pump to circulate the beverage and creates foam through a restriction plate at the tap outlet, eliminating filter clogging issues entirely
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of infusing gas into the liquid through filters (traditional method), the patent inverts the approach by pumping the liquid through the system and creating foam at the outlet using a restriction plate. This reverses the sequence and eliminates the need for filters in the infusion path
3Productivity
If nitrogen cylinders are used for continuous cocktail serving, then high-volume service is enabled, but repurchasing or refilling cylinders causes delays and increases operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the nitrogen cylinders from the system by using a pump-based dispensing mechanism. The pump can be continuously operated without requiring gas cylinder replacements, eliminating downtime and allowing continuous high-volume cocktail service without the logistical burden of propellant refilling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation by using a pump that can run indefinitely without interruption for propellant replacement. The pump-based system maintains continuous beverage circulation and dispensing capability, unlike nitrogen cylinder systems that require periodic interruption for refilling or replacement
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 stable, strong, and dense foam formation without nitrogen infusion, allowing for efficient serving of fresh fruit juices and reducing operational costs and health risks, with a foam head lasting over an hour.
Implementation Method 1
a pump or external pressurization of a compressible part of the container is used to have the pre-mixture flow pressurized, in particular propellant-less, out of the container towards the tap head
Implementation Method 2
a jet-shooter attachment is provided at the outlet flow channel of the tap head that is configured for shooting out jets of the pre-mixture
Implementation Method 3
allow the foaming agent therein to froth the foam head inside the glass or the like while taking in ambient air
Implementation Method 4
taking in ambient air
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for tapping beverages with a foam head, comprising the steps: - preparing a pre-mixture of liquid ingredients for the beverage and filling a container (4) with it, the container being coupled to an operable dispensing tap head (18) of a tapping installation having an outlet flow channel (20), wherein each time the tap head (18) is operated, an amount of the pre-mixture flows pressurized out of the outlet flow channel (20) into a glass (26) or the like while forming the foam head on the beverage inside the glass (26) or the like, the step of preparing the pre-mixture of liquid ingredients for the beverage comprises mixing a non-gaseous foaming agent with the liquid ingredients, the external pressurization of a compressible part of the container (4) or a pump is used to have the pre-mixture flow pressurized out of the container (4) towards the tap head (18), and a jet-shooter attachment (22) is provided at the outlet flow channel (20) of the tap head (18) that is configured for shooting out jets of the pre-mixture to allow the foaming agent therein to froth the foam head inside the glass (26) or the like while taking in ambient air, and an assembly for the same.