PET Beverage Dispenser with Flexible Bladder and Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dispensing systems under carbon dioxide pressure are bulky, heavy, and have a poor carbon footprint due to metallic materials, requiring significant maintenance and limiting diversity of drink offerings.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring cylindrical PET barrels with flexible material pockets, a disposable and recyclable design, and a pressure draft system that maintains drink temperature and quality, along with a cooling system to prevent foam formation, allowing for multiple drink types and autonomous installation without specialized knowledge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metallic drums are used for storing and distributing carbonated beverages, then the structural strength and pressure containment are improved, but the carbon footprint increases and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure containmentVSAvoidcarbon footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metallic to plastic composite, specifically using a plastic drum with a flexible bladder inside. This material substitution maintains pressure containment capability while eliminating the carbon footprint and maintenance issues associated with metallic drums.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a composite structure consisting of a plastic drum shell and an inner flexible bladder. This composite design combines the advantages of plastic materials (lightweight, corrosion-resistant, low carbon footprint) while maintaining the pressure containment function through the bladder's elastic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If metallic drums are used for storing and distributing carbonated beverages, then the structural integrity is improved, but the maintenance time and cleaning requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a disposable drum system where the entire drum-bladder assembly is replaced when empty or contaminated. This eliminates the time-consuming cleaning and maintenance processes associated with metallic drums, as each drum is used once and then discarded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The drum is segmented into two functional parts: the outer plastic shell and the inner flexible bladder. This segmentation allows the bladder to be replaced independently if needed, while the shell can be reused, optimizing maintenance efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single-type beverage system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the variety of drink offerings is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiddrink variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal drum and bladder system that can accommodate different beverage types by simply replacing the bladder contents. The same drum structure and dispensing mechanism work for various drinks, providing versatility without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution reduces carbon footprint, eliminates transport and cleaning constraints, extends drink shelf life, and allows for diverse offerings while being compact and easy to maintain, with real-time connectivity and temperature control for each barrel.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling system for cooling said drum (11) and said draft line (24) between said drum (11) and said liquid distribution tap (15)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a pressurization system for applying pressure to said liquid in said drum (11)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3116823B1Device for dispensing beverages, control system and method for dispensing a drink

Publication Date: 2020.02.26 NDMAC SYST

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AI summary

The invention relates to a liquid-dispensing device having: a table, including a body (10) and a plate (17), the body (10) comprising three casks (11) containing a liquid to be dispensed, each cask including a shell in which a pouch, made of a flexible material and containing the liquid, is positioned; three draft circuits (24), extending from each cask (11) to three dispensing taps (15); a system (12) for cooling the draft circuit; three pressurized draft systems (13) for drawing the liquid from each cask (11), said draft system (13) including a solenoid valve (25) in each draft circuit (24), between the cask and the tap; a system (14) for managing the device, said managing system being provided to control dispensing of liquids by opening or closing the solenoid valve (25); and wheels provided to enable movement of the device. The plate (17) comprises: three liquid-dispensing taps (15); and a means (16) for interacting with the management system (14), which is suitable for interfacing with the liquid-dispensing control. Said managing system (14) is connected to a database (37) via a connection means.