Portable Carbonating Dispenser with Pressure Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable beverage dispensers lack compact, modular, and user-friendly carbonation systems that can efficiently carbonate beverages on the go, and they often expose additive cartridges to carbonation pressure, posing challenges in integration and safety.
Innovation Solution
A portable carbonating dispenser with a compact ergonomic housing, onboard carbonation module, and flow control assembly that includes a user-actuated button for controlling carbonation, a refill connection, and an isolating component to protect the dispensing passage and additive cartridge from carbonation pressure, allowing for modular integration and multiple uses without a tabletop system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable carbonation system is integrated into a handheld dispenser, then carbonation capability is achieved in a portable format, but the device complexity increases due to integration of multiple components (carbonation gas container, flow control assembly, isolating mechanisms)
Solution Approach 1:
The carbonation gas container is nested within the housing structure, with the flow control assembly integrated into the base. The isolating component is nested within the closure assembly, creating a compact hierarchical structure that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining portable carbonation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control assembly merges the carbonation gas delivery system with the base liquid container closure system. The isolating component combines the functions of valve control and cartridge protection within a single integrated mechanism, reducing the number of separate components needed.
2Reliability
If the dispensing passage is isolated from carbonation pressure to protect the additive cartridge, then the cartridge is protected from pressure damage, but the device complexity increases due to the need for isolating mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the isolating component that separates the dispensing passage from the carbonation chamber, and the cartridge receiving space. This segmentation allows independent control of pressure zones while protecting the cartridge through the journal port blocking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolating component acts as an intermediary element between the carbonation gas supply and the additive cartridge. It mediates the pressure differential by providing a controlled barrier that prevents direct exposure of the cartridge to high carbonation pressure while still allowing the system to function.
3Weight of moving object
If a compact housing arrangement is used to maintain portability, then the dispenser remains handheld and portable, but the available space for component arrangement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The base liquid container is shaped with a three-dimensional alcove or recess that accommodates the carbonation gas container. This dimensional arrangement optimizes space utilization within the compact housing, allowing components to be arranged in vertical and lateral spaces that would otherwise be unused.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbonation gas container is positioned within the alcove of the base liquid container, creating a nested arrangement that maximizes space efficiency. This nesting strategy allows both containers to coexist in a compact configuration that maintains handheld portability while providing sufficient volume for carbonation operations.
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 users to carbonate beverages to a desired level in a portable format, protects additive cartridges from pressure, and allows for easy refilling of carbonation gas, enhancing user safety and convenience while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
The carbonation module may include an onboard carbonation gas container and a flow control assembly
Implementation Method 2
The insert may rotate within a journal formed in the container closure and may have one or more insert ports and blocking surfaces which cooperate with respective journal ports to selectively block or align with the journal ports
Implementation Method 3
carbonating the base liquid supply with gas from the onboard gas container
Data Source
AI summary
A portable carbonating dispenser utilizes an onboard supply of carbonation gas and a carbonation control module for permitting a user to carbonate base liquid stored in an onboard base liquid container. The carbonation control module may include a user actuated button for selectively activating the carbonation. The base liquid container may include an extended portion for increasing the exposure of base liquid to carbonation gas. A vertical viewing window enables a user to view carbonation and the level of base liquid in the container. An isolation component may be useful to isolate an additive cartridge from carbonation pressure during carbonation in applications where the dispenser utilizes additive cartridges. Safety venting and locking features may be provided on the mode selector to prevent a user from accidentally pressurizing the cartridge space. A refill station may be provided to refill the portable carbonating dispenser.