Method and apparatus for cartridge-based carbonation of beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for carbonating liquids, such as those used in beverage preparation, often result in inefficiencies and mess, particularly when handling gas sources and beverage mediums, and struggle to achieve high carbonation levels quickly and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A beverage cartridge system that separates gas sources and beverage mediums, using a cartridge design with distinct internal spaces for each, allowing for controlled gas release and mixing with liquids, and includes features like flow control elements and indexing features for precise operation within a beverage making machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing carbonation systems are used, then beverages can be carbonated, but the systems result in inefficiencies and mess, and struggle to achieve high carbonation levels quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the carbonation process into separate functional components: a gas source cartridge containing pressurized CO2, a beverage medium cartridge containing concentrate, and a mixing chamber. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and eliminates mess by containing all materials in sealed cartridges that are inserted into the machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a beverage medium (concentrate) as an intermediary substance that is mixed with carbonated water in controlled proportions. This intermediary allows for efficient carbonation by enabling the concentrate to be delivered precisely and mixed rapidly with the carbonated base, achieving high carbonation levels quickly without mess.
2Ease of operation
If cartridges contain both gas source and beverage medium, then the system is compact and convenient, but precise control of gas release and mixing is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge system separates the gas source and beverage medium into distinct sealed compartments within the cartridge assembly. The gas source cartridge contains only pressurized CO2 while the beverage medium cartridge contains only concentrate. This segmentation enables precise control of gas release through dedicated valves and mechanisms without contamination or mixing issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls gas release by changing pressure parameters - the gas source cartridge is maintained at high pressure to store CO2, and pressure is regulated during dispensing to control the rate and amount of gas released. This parameter control enables precise gas delivery while maintaining the convenient cartridge format.
3Productivity
If high carbonation levels are achieved quickly, then productivity increases, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-carbonating water in a separate chamber before it mixes with the beverage concentrate. The gas source cartridge is pre-filled with pressurized CO2 and the beverage medium cartridge is pre-filled with concentrate. When the user inserts the cartridges and activates the machine, the carbonation process is already prepared to proceed rapidly, achieving high carbonation levels quickly without complex real-time control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles to achieve rapid carbonation - pressurized gas from the gas source cartridge is delivered through controlled flow paths to carbonate water in a mixing chamber. The pressure differential and gas flow dynamics enable quick saturation of the beverage with CO2, achieving high carbonation levels efficiently through fluid dynamics rather than complex mechanical or electronic controls.
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 easy, mess-free carbonation of beverages with high carbonation levels achieved efficiently, using a compact cartridge system that can produce large volumes of carbonated beverages quickly, reducing waste and enhancing convenience.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving gas in liquids, e.g., carbonation
Implementation Method 2
pressurized gas into the cartridge to move a beverage medium in an internal space of the cartridge out of the cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage are disclosed. A gas source, which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid, and/or a beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in a cartridge. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.