Venturi Gas Infusion Module for Beverage Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for infusing nitrogen into beverages during dispensing face challenges such as bacterial growth in small orifices and lack of control over nitrogen dissolution, leading to inconsistent product quality.
Innovation Solution
A beverage infusion apparatus and method that includes a mixer for diluting concentrate with water, an infusion module using a gas draw venturi device to introduce nitrogen, and a dispensing valve for controlled dispensing, ensuring consistent gas infusion and minimizing bacterial growth risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If nitrogen is introduced into beverage during dispensing using small orifices, then gas infusion is achieved, but bacterial growth occurs in the small orifices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas infusion function from the dispensing orifice by introducing a separate gas injection system. The beverage flows through a tube while gas is injected at a controlled point, separating the gas delivery function from the dispensing function, thereby eliminating bacterial growth risks in small orifices while maintaining nitrogen infusion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary gas injection mechanism that mediates between the gas source and the beverage flow. This intermediary system allows controlled gas infusion without requiring the beverage to pass through small orifices, thus preventing bacterial contamination while achieving the desired gas infusion
2Quantity of substance
If nitrogen is introduced during dispensing, then gas infusion is achieved, but control over nitrogen dissolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the actual gas dissolution level in the beverage and adjusts the gas injection rate accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures consistent nitrogen dissolution by continuously monitoring and adjusting the infusion process, eliminating variability in product quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from fixed orifice size to adjustable gas injection rate. By making the gas injection rate variable and controllable, the system can precisely adjust nitrogen dissolution levels to achieve consistent product quality while maintaining flexibility in the infusion process
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 provides a consistent and reproducible gas-infused beverage with improved control over nitrogen infusion, reducing bacterial growth risks and ensuring a stable foam head, enhancing consumer appeal and product quality.
Implementation Method 1
the infusion module comprises a gas draw venturi device for drawing the nitrogen containing gas into the diluted concentrate as a result of flow of the diluted concentrate through the gas draw venturi device
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage infusion apparatus includes: (a) a mixer for mixing a beverage concentrate and water to form a diluted concentrate, wherein the water is provided at a water pressure during operation sufficient to flow through the beverage infusion apparatus; (b) an infusion module for infusing a nitrogen containing gas into the diluted concentrate to form a gas infused beverage, wherein: (i) the infusion module comprises a gas draw venturi device for drawing the nitrogen containing gas into the diluted concentrate as a result of flow of the diluted concentrate through the gas draw venturi device to form the gas infused beverage; and (c) a dispensing valve for dispensing the gas infused beverage and constructed to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein: (i) the open position permits dispensing of the gas infused beverage from the beverage infusion apparatus; (ii) the closed position prevents dispensing of the gas infused beverage from the beverage infusion apparatus; and (iii) the dispensing valve is constructed to move between the open position and the closed position by a user of the beverage infusion apparatus. A method of forming a gas infused beverage is provided.