RU2600721C2 - Method and cartridge device for carbonation of beverages - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: food industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to cartridge for aerating or other gas dissolution in initial liquid, such as water, in order to obtain beverage. Cartridge can be provided with a gas source used for supplying gas to be dissolved in initial liquid. Same cartridge containing a gas source or other cartridge may contain beverage material such as powdered mixture for preparation of beverage or liquid syrup for mixing with initial liquid to produce drink. Due to use of one or several cartridges with gas source and beverage material a simple in use and clean beverage preparation system can be created in home conditions.

EFFECT: additionally beverage outlet is controlled.

15 cl, 65 dwg

Description

The priority of this application is claimed based on provisional application US 61/514676, filed August 3, 2011, which in its entirety by reference is incorporated into this application. This application is a partial continuation of the application US 13/017459, filed January 31, 2011, the priority of which is claimed on the basis of provisional application US 61/337184, filed February 1, 2010

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The described invention relates to the dissolution of gas in liquids, for example, to carbonation for use in the preparation of drinks. Systems for carbonating liquids and / or mixing liquids with a beverage medium for the purpose of preparing a beverage are described in a variety of publications, including US Pat.

Summary of the invention

Features of the invention relate to carbonation or other dissolution of a gas in a source liquid, such as water, in order to produce a beverage. In some embodiments, a carbon dioxide cartridge or other gas source may be used to generate carbon dioxide or other gas that is dissolved in the starting liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powder mixture for preparing a beverage or liquid syrup, may be contained in the same cartridge as the gas source or in a separate cartridge and may be mixed with the starting liquid (before or after carbonation) to produce drinks. The use of one or more cartridges for a source of gas and / or a beverage medium can contribute to the creation of an easy-to-use and non-polluting system for preparing carbonated or other effervescent drinks, for example, at home. (The term "carbonation" or "carbonated" is used in relation to drinks containing dissolved gas and, accordingly, refers to an effervescent drink, the dissolved gas being carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, air or another gas. Accordingly, the features of the invention are not limited to drinks containing dissolved carbon dioxide, and such drinks may contain any dissolved gas.)

According to one aspect of the invention, a beverage preparation system comprises a source of a beverage source liquid to provide a source liquid. The source of the source liquid may include a container, a pump, one or more channels, one or more valves, one or more sensors (for example, to determine the level of water in a container) and / or any other suitable components for supplying the source liquid with a method applicable for preparing a beverage . The system may also comprise one cartridge having first and / or second parts. The first part of the cartridge may contain a gas source that emits gas for use in dissolving in the source liquid, for example, for carbonating the source liquid, and the second part of the cartridge may contain a beverage medium for mixing with the source liquid and obtain a beverage. The system may comprise cartridge interface means, such as a chamber in which the cartridge is housed, and which at least partially surrounds the cartridge, a connecting hole that is fluidly connected to the cartridge, or another device. A gas-dissolving device may be provided, which serves to dissolve the gas which is released from the first part of the cartridge in the initial liquid, and which contains, for example, a membrane contactor, a pressure-sensitive chamber to facilitate dissolution of the gas in the liquid, a diffuser, an atomizer for introduction water into a gaseous medium under pressure or another device. The system can be designed to mix the source liquid with the medium of the drink before or after the gas is dissolved in the liquid in order to obtain a drink. The beverage medium may be mixed with the liquid in the cartridge, in another part of the system, such as a mixing chamber, into which the medium of the beverage is introduced from the cartridge together with the original liquid, in a user vessel or elsewhere.

According to one aspect of the invention, the beverage preparation system comprises a source of a beverage source liquid to provide a source liquid and a cartridge chamber for receiving the first and / or second parts of the cartridge. The cartridge chamber may comprise a single receiving portion for accommodating one or more cartridges, or may comprise a plurality of receiving portions separated from one another for accommodating two or more cartridges. If there are many receiving parts, they can open and close at the same time or independently of each other. The first part of the cartridge may be housed in the chamber, containing a gas source for releasing carbon dioxide or other gas for use in aerating the starting liquid. In some embodiments, the gas source may comprise a carbon dioxide saturated molecular sieve that releases gas in the presence of water, such as a zeolite in solid form (e.g., in the form of granules), adsorbed carbon dioxide or other gas. The second part of the cartridge may be housed in the chamber, containing the beverage medium for mixing with the starting liquid and preparing the beverage. The system can be designed to carbonate the starting liquid using the gas released by the first part of the cartridge and mixing the beverage medium from the second part of the cartridge with the starting liquid. The starting liquid may be aerated in the first part of the cartridge or in one or more other places (such as a container or membrane device for aeration) into which the gas enters. Mixing of the starting liquid with the beverage medium can occur before or after carbonation and can take place in the second part of the cartridge or in another place, such as a mixing chamber, separated from the second part of the cartridge.

The system may include an activating gas source, a fluid source for supplying a fluid cartridge to the chamber of the cartridge, which contacts the gas source and causes it to produce gas. For example, an activating gas source of a fluid source may serve to control the amount of fluid (such as water in a liquid or gaseous state) supplied to the cartridge chamber to control the amount of gas emitted by the gas source. Due to this, the system can regulate the pressure of the gas used to carbonate the source liquid. Thus, at least the first part of the cartridge can be placed in the cartridge chamber at a pressure higher than the ambient pressure. Alternatively, the first part of the cartridge may be able to withstand the pressure of the gas emitted by the gas source, without supporting structure or other shell. A gas source may be provided for supplying a gas emitted by the gas source at a pressure higher than the ambient pressure into the source liquid of the beverage to aerate it. Gas may be supplied to a carbonation tank, a membrane contactor, or other suitable carbonation device. For example, the system may include a carbonation device with a membrane that separates the liquid side from the gas side, the gas being supplied to the gas side, and the source of the beverage source liquid supplying the original liquid to the liquid side, whereby the gas on the side for gas dissolves in the source liquid on the liquid side. The pump can move the source fluid from the tank through the aeration device for subsequent discharge in the form of a drink, or the source liquid can return to the tank for one or more additional passes through the device for carbonation.

In some embodiments, the system can mix the beverage medium with the starting liquid to produce a beverage, as a result of which none of the components of the beverage is in contact with a gas source. However, in other embodiments, the source fluid may be in contact with a gas source, for example, when the carbonating fluid passes through the first portion of the cartridge. The first and second parts of the cartridge may be part of, respectively, the first and second cartridges that are different from each other, or parts of the cartridge may be part of one cartridge. In this case, the first and second parts of the cartridge can be separated from each other, for example, by a permeable element, such as a filter, or an impermeable element, such as the wall of the cartridge, which is not necessarily brittle, breakable (for example, under the influence of appropriate pressure), pierced or otherwise damaged, as a result of which the first and second parts of the cartridge communicate with each other. The first and second parts of the cartridge may be punctured, or the fluid may be otherwise provided while in the cartridge chamber to provide access to the first and second parts. For example, if the parts are in separate cartridges, both cartridges can be punctured by closing the cartridge chamber so that fluid can flow into the first part of the cartridge and / or gas can escape, and the drink medium can escape from the second part of the cartridge separately or with mixed source fluid.

In some embodiments, the first and second cartridge parts may have a smaller volume than the carbonated beverage produced using the cartridge parts. Thereby, significant benefits can be provided since the user can receive a relatively large volume of beverage using a cartridge or cartridges of relatively small volumes. For example, the system can be designed to use the first and second parts of the cartridge for less than about 120 seconds to produce a carbonated liquid with a volume of 100-1000 ml with a degree of aeration of about 1-5 volumes. Aeration can occur under pressure of 20-50 psi. inch or more. In this embodiment, the cartridge parts may have a volume of about 50 ml or less, which reduces waste and / or improves system usability.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for producing a beverage includes using the first and second parts of the cartridge in a machine for making beverages, wherein the first part of the cartridge contains a gas source generating gas for use in aerating the liquid, and the second part of the cartridge contains a beverage medium for mixing with the original liquid and getting a drink. A fluid may be supplied to the cartridge chamber, such as water in the form of a liquid or vapor, causing the gas source to emit gas, and the original liquid can be aerated by dissolving at least a portion of the gas emitted by the gas source in the original liquid. The starting liquid may be mixed with the beverage medium in order to obtain the beverage before or after carbonation.

As noted above, the gas source may be contained in the first part of the cartridge in the form of a solid material, including, for example, a zeolite saturated with carbon dioxide. The amount of fluid supplied to the first part of the cartridge can be adjusted to control the gas evolution of the gas source, for example, to maintain the pressure of the gas emitted by the gas source in a desired range above the ambient pressure. In one embodiment, the gas source is carbon dioxide saturated zeolite, and the amount of fluid entering the cartridge chamber is controlled so that the carbon dioxide saturated zeolite releases gas for at least 30 seconds or more.

Aeration of the source liquid may include supplying gas to a container that contains the source liquid, supplying gas to the gas side of the membrane, whereby gas on the gas side dissolves in the source liquid on the side of the membrane liquid, spraying the source liquid in the space filled with gas, the supply of the source fluid through the first part of the cartridge under pressure, etc.

As mentioned above, the first and second cartridge parts may be part of, respectively, the first and second cartridges that are different from each other, or cartridge parts may be part of a single cartridge. In this case, the first and second parts of the cartridge can be separated from each other, for example, by a wall. Mixing of the initial liquid may occur before or after carbonation in the second part of the cartridge or in another place, such as a mixing chamber, separated from the second part of the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the fluid and carbonation steps may last less than about 120 seconds (e.g., about 60 seconds) using gas under a pressure of 20-50 psi. inch (for example, above ambient pressure) in order to obtain a carbonated liquid with a volume of 100-1000 ml (for example, about 500 ml) and with a degree of aeration of about 2-4 volumes (or less or more, for example, from 1 to 5 volumes). Thus, systems and methods according to this feature can provide relatively high carbonated drinks in a relatively short time and without the need for high pressure.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage preparation system comprising a source of a beverage source liquid to provide a source liquid, a cartridge chamber, or other interface means for accommodating a cartridge having an interior space in which a gas source is contained. The gas source may emit gas for use in aerating a feed liquid, for example, in response to contact with a fluid, such as water or another activating agent. The activating gas source of the fluid source can serve to supply a fluid to the chamber of the cartridge, which contacts the gas source and causes it to emit gas, while the activating source of fluid can serve to control the amount of fluid supplied to the chamber of the cartridge to control the amount of gas, emitted by a gas source, for example, to control the pressure in the cartridge chamber or elsewhere. A gas source may be provided for supplying a gas emitted by the gas source at a pressure higher than the ambient pressure into the source liquid supplied by the source of the source liquid of the beverage for preparing the beverage for aeration. The ability to control gas evolution and thereby pressure in a relatively simple way of controlling the flow of fluid entering the cartridge chamber can advantageously provide simple control of the operation of the system.

The source of the source liquid of the beverage may contain a container that contains the source liquid, a carbonation device with a membrane that separates the liquid side from the gas side, a pump for moving the source liquid from the container through the carbonation device or another part of the system, one or more filters or other devices for cleaning liquids, etc. The cartridge chamber can be designed to accommodate the cartridge under a pressure higher than the ambient pressure, for example, in the pressure range applicable for carbonating the starting fluid. In some embodiments, the pressure of the gas used for carbonation may be from about 20 to 50 psi. inch, although higher (and lower) pressures are possible.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for producing a beverage includes the use of a cartridge having a sealed interior space in which a gas source is located, supplying a fluid to the cartridge to induce a gas source to emit gas, controlling the amount of fluid supplied to the cartridge for a certain time to controlling the amount of gas emitted by the gas source during this time, and aerating the initial liquid by dissolving at least part of the gas in the initial liquid, gas source. The starting liquid may be mixed with the beverage medium in order to obtain the beverage before or after carbonation in a cartridge or other place. In one embodiment, for the purpose of supplying liquid to the cartridge, it may be punctured using a beverage machine, and in other embodiments, the liquid may be supplied to the cartridge through a predetermined opening or other device. As in the embodiments described above, the liquid may be carbonated in a cartridge or other place, such as a carbonation device or container, the cartridge may have a second part containing the beverage medium (or a second cartridge with the beverage medium may be used) and the like.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for producing a carbonated beverage includes the use of a cartridge having a sealed interior space that houses a gas source in the form of a solid material, opening the cartridge (e.g., piercing) to induce the gas source to release gas, and aerating the liquid by dissolving in liquids of at least a portion of the gas emitted by the gas source. The liquid can be mixed with the medium of the beverage by supplying liquid through the chamber of the cartridge that contains the medium of the drink, in order to obtain a drink. When mixing liquid with the beverage medium in the cartridge, the need for a separate mixing chamber may disappear, and the adverse effect on the taste and aroma of sequentially prepared drinks may be reduced (since the cartridge serves as a mixing chamber and is used only once).

In one embodiment, the cartridge in which the gas source is located also has a chamber in which the medium of the drink is contained. For example, a liquid may be introduced into the first part of the cartridge, which houses a gas source for carbonation, and exit from the first part into the second part, which houses the beverage medium. In another embodiment, the cartridge chamber in which liquid is mixed with the beverage medium may be part of a second cartridge separated from the cartridge in which the gas source is located.

Gas can be directed from the cartridge to where it dissolves in the liquid, for example, into a membrane contactor, a container that contains a significant portion of the liquid, or another device. The gas pressure can be controlled by controlling the amount of fluid supplied to the cartridge. As in other aspects of the invention, various described embodiments and optional features may be used therein.

According to another aspect of the invention, the beverage preparation kit comprises a first cartridge having a sealed interior space in which a gas source is disposed. The gas source may be in the form of a solid material or may be stored in the interior under a pressure of less than 100 psi. inch and give off gas for use in aeration. The first cartridge may have an inlet through which fluid is supplied to activate the gas source, and an outlet through which gas exits the first cartridge. For example, the first cartridge may be punctured to form an inlet and an outlet, or the first cartridge may have a predetermined inlet / outlet. The second cartridge of the kit may have a sealed interior space, which contains the environment of the drink used when mixed with the original liquid in order to obtain a drink. The second cartridge may serve to mix the source liquid therein with the beverage medium and, accordingly, can be punctured or otherwise allow the liquid to enter and discharge the mixed liquid / beverage medium. The first and second cartridges may have a smaller volume than the volume of the beverage produced using the first and second cartridges, for example, the cartridges may have a volume of about 50 ml and be used to prepare a beverage with a volume of about 500 ml. The first and second cartridges can be connected to each other, for example, so that it was impossible to separate them from each other without using tools, without damaging at least part of the first or second cartridge. In one embodiment, the first and second cartridges may be joined by a welded joint or mechanical fasteners.

According to another aspect of the invention, the beverage cartridge contains a container having a sealed interior space in which a gas source is located. The gas source may be in the form of a solid material (such as a carbon dioxide saturated zeolite or other molecular sieve) and may release gas for use in aeration. In one embodiment, the gas or other gas source may be stored in an airtight space in the cartridge for a long time under a pressure of less than about 100 psi. an inch before the airtight space opens. Accordingly, to store the gas source, the cartridge need not be able to withstand high pressures. The container may have an inlet through which fluid enters to activate the gas source, and an outlet through which gas exits from the container for use in aeration. In one embodiment, the container may be punctured in a beverage machine to form an inlet and outlet, for example, from above, from below, from the side, and / or elsewhere in the cartridge. In one embodiment, the container may have a lid that can be punctured in a beverage machine to form an inlet and an outlet. The container may contain at least one semi-rigid or flexible part, for example, not designed to withstand a pressure of more than about 80 psi. an inch inside the cartridge without physical support. The container may have a second chamber, which contains the medium of the drink for use in flavoring the original liquid to obtain a drink, while the second chamber can be isolated from the first chamber, which contains the gas source. The capacity may have a smaller volume than the volume of carbonated drink obtained using a cartridge.

According to another aspect of the invention, the beverage preparation system comprises a chamber for accommodating the cartridge at a pressure higher than ambient pressure, and a cartridge having an internal space in which there is a gas source generating gas for use in aerating the liquid. The cartridge may have a smaller volume than the volume of the beverage obtained using the cartridge, for example, a volume of 50 ml or less for carbonating a liquid with a volume of about 100-1000 ml with a degree of aeration of at least about 1 to 4 volumes. The source of the original liquid of the drink can feed into the inner space of the cartridge a source of liquid, causing the gas source to emit gas, at least part of which dissolves in the original liquid while in the inner space. Aeration of the liquid in the cartridge chamber simplifies the operation of the system, for example, by eliminating aeration tanks or other aeration devices. Instead, the cartridge may at least partially act as a carbonation device. In one embodiment, the cartridge has a second chamber that contains the beverage medium used when mixed with the starting liquid to form a beverage. The second chamber may be isolated from the first chamber, which contains the gas source, or the first and second chamber may communicate, for example, liquid may enter the first chamber for carbonation and exit from the first chamber into the second chamber, which contains the medium of the drink.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for producing a beverage includes the use of a cartridge having a sealed interior space in which a gas source is disposed, the cartridge having a smaller volume than the volume of a beverage produced using the cartridge. A liquid may be supplied to the cartridge, causing the gas source to emit gas, while the liquid may be aerated by dissolving in it at least a portion of the gas emitted by the gas source when the liquid is in the cartridge. The liquid may be mixed with the beverage medium in order to obtain the beverage before or after carbonation in the cartridge. Essentially, the cartridge may comprise a second chamber, which contains the beverage medium used when mixed with the starting liquid to produce a beverage, the cartridge may have a smaller volume than the volume of the beverage obtained using the cartridge. The cartridge may be punctured using a beverage machine to form an inlet and an outlet.

According to another aspect of the invention, the beverage preparation system comprises a source of beverage beverage fluid, a chamber or other coupling means for housing a cartridge therein, and a cartridge having an interior space in which there is a gas source that is in the form of a solid material and releases gas for use in aerating the liquid . An activating gas source, a fluid source may supply liquid to the cartridge that contacts the gas source and causes it to release gas. The system may also comprise a carbonation device with a membrane that separates the liquid side from the gas side, the gas emitted by the cartridge is supplied to the gas side, and the source of the beverage beverage liquid feeds the liquid source to the liquid side, whereby the gas on the gas side dissolves in the source liquid on the liquid side. The means for interfacing with the cartridge can be used to place the cartridge in the chamber under a pressure exceeding the ambient pressure, for example, in the pressure range used to carbonate a liquid in a carbonation device. The gas source can direct the gas it emits at a pressure higher than the ambient pressure from the cartridge chamber to the gas sides of the aeration device. The membrane of the aeration device may comprise a plurality of hollow fibers, the inside of which is part of the liquid side and the outside is part of the gas side.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for producing a beverage includes the use of a cartridge having a sealed interior space in which a gas source is provided which is in the form of a solid material and emits gas, a hole or other means of access to the cartridge (for example, by piercing) so that the cartridge releases gas, and carbonating the liquid by dissolving in it at least a portion of the gas emitted by the gas source. Gas may be on the gas side of the membrane, and liquid may be on the liquid side of the membrane. The membrane may be formed by a plurality of hollow fibers, with the liquid side being inside the fibers and the gas side outside the fibers. The gas pressure from the gas side can be adjusted based on the regulation of the amount of liquid supplied to the cartridge.

In another embodiment, a cartridge for use in a beverage machine is provided, comprising first and second parts connected to each other and separated by an impermeable barrier, such as a lid or other containing member of the first and / or second part. The first part may contain a gas source generating gas for dissolution in the original liquid of the beverage, and the second part may contain the medium of the drink for mixing with the original liquid and obtain a drink. The first and second parts can be arranged in such a way relative to each other that the first part is lower and the second part is higher than the plane of the cartridge. For example, the second part can be placed on top of the first part, while, for example, the covers of the first and second parts are located close to each other.

In one illustrative embodiment, the cartridge for use in a beverage machine comprises a container having first and second parts connected to each other and separated by an impermeable barrier, such as a foil lid covering the containing member of the first and / or second part. The first part may contain a gas source generating gas for dissolution in the original liquid of the beverage, and the second part may contain the medium of the drink for mixing with the original liquid and obtain a drink. The second part may have a wall, such as a cover, a side wall of the forming element, the bottom of the forming element, the wall of the cavity, etc., capable of moving and displacing the medium of the drink from the second part for mixing with the original liquid. The wall can be moved in any suitable way, for example, under the influence of air or other gas pressure, by means of a plunger, piston or other element touching the wall and moving it, etc.

In the above embodiments, the first part may have an inlet through which fluid is supplied to activate a gas source (for example, a cover or other element of the first part that can be pierced to form an inlet) and an outlet through which the first part exits gas for dissolution in the initial liquid (for example, a cover or other element of the first part, which can be pierced to form an outlet). The inlet and outlet may be on the same side of the first part, such as the upper side of the first part. In one embodiment, the first part may have a surface pierced to form an inlet through which fluid is supplied to activate the gas source, the first part being connected to the second part so that the surface is hidden. For example, the second part to be connected to the first part so that the punctured element of the first part is covered by the second part. This design can help reduce the likelihood of premature puncturing of the surface, such as accidental puncturing, before installing the cartridge in a beverage machine. The second part may have an outlet through which the beverage medium exits the container for mixing with the source liquid, for example, the element of the second part can be punctured to form an outlet for the exit of the beverage medium, the second part may contain a brittle seal or another element that opens and releases drink medium, etc.

In one embodiment, the movable wall at least partially forms the first part of the cartridge. For example, the first part may be at least partially formed by the wall of the first chamber, and the second part may be at least partially formed by the wall of the second chamber, which forms the second space. The wall of the first chamber can enter the second space, for example, as a plunger and can move relative to the wall of the second chamber to displace the medium of the drink from the second part of the cartridge. In some embodiments, the wall may comprise a layer of a barrier material, such as a metal foil, a metal foil / polymer laminate, a plastic layer, etc. For example, the second part may be formed by a capsule containing a layer of metal foil material, such as aluminum sheet. The layer of barrier material can be opened (for example, by tearing or piercing), which allows the medium of the beverage to exit the second part by applying force to the barrier material. For example, the cartridge may comprise a piercing element that opens the second part when a force is applied to the barrier material. In another embodiment, the wall comprises corrugations and a brittle outlet that can open under pressure inside the second part. The wall can be squeezed, as a result of which the corrugations are flattened, for example, gradually or sequentially, displacing the beverage medium through the outlet, which may contain a breakable seal formed by a weakened section of the wall (for example, with notches, partial perforation, etc.). Like the second part, the first part can be formed by a capsule containing a layer of barrier material, while the first and second parts can be connected to each other, for example, crimp edges or edges of the barrier material.

The first and second parts can be isolated from the external environment, while the first part may contain a source of carbon dioxide in the form of a solid material (such as a carbon dioxide-saturated zeolite) that emits gaseous carbon dioxide for use in mixing with the original beverage liquid to obtain a beverage . In one embodiment, the pressure in the first part prior to breaking its seal to expose the gas source may be relatively low, for example, less than 100 psi. inch. However, the gas source can emit gas suitable for producing a carbonated beverage with a volume of 100-1000 ml with a degree of aeration from about 1 to 5 volumes.

These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Features of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which the same elements are denoted by the same positions and in which:

in FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a beverage preparation system comprising a removable container,

in FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a beverage preparation system comprising a contactor for circulating a source liquid,

in FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a beverage preparation system in which a liquid is carbonated in one pass through a carbonation device,

in FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a beverage preparation system in which a gas cartridge is housed in a carbonation tank,

in FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a cartridge chamber,

in FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of interconnected gas and beverage cartridges,

in FIG. 7 and 8 show perspective and top views, respectively, of cartridges with gas and beverage medium,

in FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a cartridge for aerating a liquid in a cartridge,

in FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a cartridge for aerating a liquid in a cartridge in an alternative orientation,

in FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of an insulated chamber cartridge containing a gas source and a beverage medium,

in FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge containing a movable portion for using the cartridge to form a beverage;

in FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 cartridges after moving the movable part,

in FIG. 14 is an image in parts of FIG. 12 cartridges

in FIG. 15 shows an image in parts of a cartridge containing a first part placed on top of a second part,

in FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 cartridges

in FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a cartridge with a planar support,

in FIG. 18 is an image in parts of FIG. 17 cartridges

in FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 cartridges

in FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 cartridges with the medium of the beverage displaced from the second part of the cartridge,

in FIG. 21 is a plan view of a portion of the support illustrated in FIG. 17 cartridges under the second part,

in FIG. 22 schematically shows a structure in which a starting liquid and a drink form a common axis flow,

in FIG. 23 shows a modification of FIG. 17 cartridge, in which the second part is located above the first part,

in FIG. 24 shows an image in parts of a cartridge with a mixing chamber,

in FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the assembled cartridge illustrated in FIG. 24,

in FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 24 cartridges

in FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 24 cartridges with the medium of the beverage displaced from the second part,

in FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a cartridge with a gas source and a beverage medium adjacent to one another,

in FIG. 29 is a partial view of the illustration illustrated in FIG. 28 cartridges

in FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 28 cartridges

in FIG. 31 schematically shows a beverage preparation system using a feed of the original liquid under the influence of gravity and / or pressure,

in FIG. 32 schematically shows a beverage preparation system with an ice dispenser function,

in FIG. 33 schematically shows a beverage preparation system using thermal or other activation of a gas source,

in FIG. 34 schematically shows a beverage preparation system using a plunger for supplying a source liquid,

in FIG. 35 is a schematic illustration of a beverage preparation system designed to circulate a source liquid through a gas dissolving device,

in FIG. 36 schematically shows a cartridge with an activating fluid flow regulator,

in FIG. 37 and 38 schematically show a cartridge with an activating fluid flow regulator that interacts with a beverage machine,

in FIG. 39 and 40 show a structure in which a cartridge moves under pressure to control an activating fluid flow,

in FIG. 41 and 42 are an enlarged view of an activating fluid source needle and a cartridge activator inlet for use in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 39 and 40,

in FIG. 43 and 44, one embodiment is illustrated in which the pressure in the cartridge is determined by a beverage machine,

in FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge arranged similarly to the cartridge shown in FIG. 28-30, and designed to control the flow of fluid in the cartridge by narrowing,

in FIG. 46, another embodiment is illustrated in which the pressure in the cartridge is determined by a beverage machine,

in FIG. 47 and 48 illustrate one embodiment in which the pressure in the cartridge is determined by a beverage machine, and the flow of activating fluid is controlled by a valve actuator of the machine,

in FIG. 49 and 50 show a flow chart of a flow regulator for automatically adjusting the gas pressure in the cartridge,

in FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view of a filter cartridge,

in FIG. 52 shows an image in parts of another embodiment of a filter cartridge,

in FIG. 53 and 54 are cross-sectional views of a second part and a first part, respectively illustrated in FIG. 52 embodiments,

in FIG. 55 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the insertion end illustrated in FIG. 52 cartridges

in FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge, allowing the user to determine the characterization of the beverage by interacting with the cartridge,

in FIG. 57 is a perspective view illustrated in FIG. 56 cartridges

in FIG. 58 shows an assembled cartridge having first and second parts connected in such a way that their covers adjoin each other,

in FIG. 59 is a side view of FIG. 58 of the embodiment with the first and second parts disconnected,

in FIG. 60 is a plan view illustrated in FIG. 59 layouts

in FIG. 61 shows the cartridge when folded with the first and second parts connected to each other by a cover,

in FIG. 62 is illustrated in FIG. 61 an embodiment, unfolded,

in FIG. 63 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge with an internal piercing element,

in FIG. 64 shows an image in parts of a cartridge, one part of which is made in the form of a bag with an angular connection, and the other part enters the corner cavity, and

in FIG. 65 shows a cartridge, the second part of which contains the beverage medium and compressed gas to displace the beverage medium.

Detailed description

It is understood that features of the invention are described with reference to the drawings, in which embodiments are illustrated. The described illustrative embodiments are not necessarily intended to represent all embodiments of the invention, and are provided for the purpose of describing several illustrative embodiments. Thus, it is intended that the features of the invention should not be construed in a restrictive manner in view of illustrative embodiments. In addition, it is understood that the features of the invention can be used separately or in any applicable combination with other features of the invention.

According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid (such as water, water vapor or other) can be introduced into carbon dioxide or another gas source in the cartridge to cause the gas source to emit gas that is used to carbonate a liquid or otherwise dissolve in a liquid. In one embodiment, the beverage machine may comprise an activating gas source of a fluid source for supplying fluid to the cartridge chamber to be brought into contact with the gas source to cause the gas source to emit gas. In other embodiments, the implementation of the gas source may be induced to emit gas in other ways, such as heating, exposure of the source to microwave waves or other electromagnetic radiation, etc. A gas source can serve to direct the gas it emits at a pressure higher than the ambient pressure into the source liquid for the purpose of aeration. In some embodiments, the gas source may be a solid source, such as zeolite, activated carbon, or another molecular sieve saturated with carbon dioxide or other gas, and not only can the gas source be isolated from activating agents (such as water vapor in the case of carbon dioxide saturated zeolite), but the need for the user to touch the carbon dioxide source or otherwise manipulate it is also potentially eliminated.

Due to the activating gas source of the fluid source, the application of another feature of the invention can be provided, namely, in order to control the flow rate or amount of gas that the gas source emits, the volume or other parameter of the fluid supplied to the cartridge can be controlled. Thus, some gas sources can be used, such as carbon dioxide saturated zeolite without the need for gas storage components or high pressure components. For example, carbon dioxide-saturated zeolites usually release carbon dioxide very quickly in relatively large amounts (e.g., carbon dioxide-saturated zeolite with a mass of 30 grams in a few seconds can easily release 1-2 liters of gaseous carbon dioxide at atmospheric pressure in the presence of less than 30-50 ml of water). Due to this rapid release, in some cases, the use of zeolites becomes impractical to obtain relatively highly carbonated liquids, such as water with a degree of aeration of 2 volumes or more. (The degree of carbonation in "volumes" means the number of measures of the volume of gaseous carbon dioxide dissolved in a given measure of the volume of liquid. For example, 1 liter of water "with a degree of carbonation of 2 volumes" means 1 liter of water in which 2 liters of gaseous carbon dioxide are dissolved. Similarly , 1 liter of water "with a degree of carbonation of 4 volumes" means 1 liter of water in which 4 liters of carbon dioxide are dissolved. A measure of the volume of gas is the volume of gas that could be released by a carbonated liquid at atmospheric or ambient pressure, and room temperature.) In other words, the dissolution of carbon dioxide or other gases in liquids usually takes a certain amount of time, and the dissolution rate can only be increased to a limited extent under non-extreme conditions, such as a pressure that differs from the ambient pressure within about 150 psi sq. inch, and a temperature different from room temperature, in the range of about +/- 40-50 ° C. By controlling the rate at which carbon dioxide (or other gas) is released from the carbon dioxide (or other gas) source, the total time that the carbon dioxide (or other gas) source emits carbon dioxide (or other gas) can be extended, giving carbon dioxide time (or other gas) to dissolve without the need for relatively high pressures. For example, in one illustrative embodiment, using one or more of the features of the invention, the inventors obtained liquids with a degree of aeration up to about 3.5 volumes in less than 60 seconds at pressures less than about 40 psi. inch and temperatures around 0 ° C. Due to this, the machine for the preparation of carbonated drinks can operate at relatively low temperatures and pressures, which potentially eliminates the need for relatively expensive pressure vessels, channels and other components, as well as pressure relief devices, protective structures and other safety measures that otherwise were required would be, in particular, in the case of a machine for use at home. Of course, as indicated above and elsewhere in the description, the application of the features of the invention is not limited to carbon dioxide, and in accordance with all the features of the present invention, any applicable gas can be dissolved in a liquid instead.

According to another aspect of the invention, a portion of the starting liquid that is used to make a beverage can be used to activate a gas source. This can simplify the operation of the machine for preparing drinks, for example, by eliminating the need for special activating substances. As a result, a beverage preparation machine or a process for producing an effervescent beverage can be implemented with lower costs and / or without special-purpose ingredients. For example, in the case of preparing soda water in a machine, the only thing required to activate a carbon dioxide source may be the portion of the water used to make the beverage. However, it is understood that in other aspects of the invention, it is not necessary to use a portion of the starting liquid to activate the carbon dioxide source, and any suitable activating agent, such as citric acid in aqueous form, which is added to bicarbonate, heat, microwave waves, can be used instead. or other electromagnetic radiation used to activate a zeolite source, and the like. For example, a cartridge that contains a carbon dioxide source may contain (as part of the source) an activating agent, the addition of which to another component of the carbon dioxide source is controlled to control the release of carbon dioxide.

In FIG. 1 illustrates one illustrative embodiment, including at least the features of supplying fluid to the cartridge and / or cartridge chamber to activate a gas source, as well as controlling the flow of fluid to control gas evolution and use a portion of the beverage source liquid to activate the source gas. The beverage preparation system 1 shown in FIG. 1, contains a starting liquid 2 for preparing a beverage, which is contained in a container 11. The starting liquid 2 for preparing a beverage can be any suitable liquid, including water (for example, flavored or otherwise treated water, such as sweetened, filtered, deionized, softened, carbonated water, etc.), or any other applicable liquid used to make a beverage, such as milk, juice, coffee, tea, etc. (heated / not heated or chilled / not chilled relative to room temperature). The tank 11 is part of the source 10 of the source liquid of the drink, which also contains a cover 12, hermetically connected to the tank 11, a pump 13 for circulating the source liquid 2 and a nozzle, a spray head or other component 14 for dispersing the source liquid 2 in the free space above the product in the container 11. Of course, that the source 10 of the source liquid can be constructed differently, for example, may contain additional or different components. For example, the container 11 and the cover 12 may be replaced by a closed container with corresponding inlet / outlet openings, the pump 13 and / or nozzle 14 may be omitted, and / or other changes may be made.

In this embodiment, the user fills the container 11 with the source liquid 2, for example, from a water tap or other source. The user can also optionally place ice or other cooling medium in the container 11 to cool the prepared beverage. In other embodiments, system 1 may include a cold supply system or other cooling system (such as used in refrigeration units, air conditioners, thermoelectric cooling units, or other devices used to remove heat from the material) of the liquid 2 before, during and / or after carbonation . In some designs, cooling the starting liquid 2 can facilitate the carbonation process, for example, because colder liquids usually dissolve carbon dioxide or other gas faster and / or are able to dissolve more gas. However, according to one aspect of the invention, the carbonated liquid may be cooled after the carbonation process is completed, for example, immediately prior to spill using a flow cooler. Due to this, only drink can be cooled in system 1, and not other parts of the system, such as tank 11, carbonating device, pump, etc., which reduces the heat generation by system 1. Although the user initially pours the initial liquid 2 into tank 11 for preparing a drink, the source liquid source 10 may contain other components for supplying the liquid 2 to the container 11, such as a water supply system, an adjustable valve and a liquid level sensor for automatically filling the container 11 to the desired level, the second container with water, which is fluidly connected to a container 11 (for example, such as a replaceable water tank used in some coffee machines, together with a pump and a channel for supplying water from the replaceable tank to the tank 11) and other devices.

The beverage preparation system 1 also comprises a carbon dioxide activating fluid source 20 for supplying a fluid to the cartridge 4 to activate a carbon dioxide source 41 and release carbon dioxide gas. In this embodiment, the carbon dioxide source 41 is located in one part of the cartridge 4 and contains a carbon dioxide-saturated adsorbent or molecular sieve, for example, a zeolite adsorbing some gaseous carbon dioxide, which is released in the presence of water in a gaseous or liquid state. Of course, other carbon dioxide sources may be used, such as charcoal or other substances as molecular sieves, carbon nanotubes, organometallic structures, covalent organic structures, porous polymers or starting materials that chemically emit carbon dioxide, such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid (with the addition of water, if bicarbonate and acid are initially used in dry form), etc. In addition, the features of the invention are not necessarily limited to the use of gaseous carbon dioxide, and any suitable gas, such as nitrogen, which dissolves in some beers or other drinks, oxygen, air, and the like, can be used. Thus, the terms “carbonation”, “carbon dioxide source”, “carbon dioxide activating fluid source”, etc. should not be interpreted as limiting the features of the invention and / or of any embodiments using only carbon dioxide. Instead, the features of the invention can be used with any applicable gas. In one embodiment, the saturated adsorbent is a zeolite such as analcime, habasite, clinoptilolite, heylandite, natrolite, phillipsite or stilbit. The zeolite may be natural or synthetic and may be able to hold up to about 20% by weight or more of carbon dioxide. Zeolite can be used in any applicable form, such as a pillar (for example, in the form of a disk), particles of a spherical, cubic, irregular shape or other applicable form, etc. Zeolite can be used in fluid form, for example, in the form of spherical particles for packaging in individual cartridges. Due to this, the zeolite can come from the funnel into the capacity of the cartridge, which, for example, simplifies the production process. The surface area of the zeolite particles can also be used to facilitate controlling the rate of release of carbon dioxide gas by the zeolite, since the rate of gas evolution usually increases with increasing surface area. In general, zeolites release adsorbed carbon dioxide in the presence of water in the form of a liquid or vapor, which allows the zeolite to be activated in order to release gaseous carbon dioxide by adding liquid water to it.

In this embodiment, the carbon dioxide activating fluid source 20 comprises a channel that is fluidly connected to a pump 13 and a valve 21, which can be adjusted by opening / closing or otherwise in order to control the flow of the source liquid 2 entering the cartridge 4 As shown, when the fluid 2 is circulated through the pump 13, the activating source 20 of the fluid may deflect a portion (eg, the first portion) of the source fluid 2 into the chamber 3 of the cartridge to cause gas evolution of carbon dioxide, for example, when valve 21 is opened. Other or additional devices are available for the carbon dioxide activating fluid source 20, such as an opening of a suitable size in the channel leading from the outlet of the pump 13 to the cartridge 4, a pressure reducing element in the channel, a throttle in the channel, a flow meter for indicating the amount and / or flow rate of the liquid entering the cartridge 4, and the like. In addition, a source of fluid 20 optionally uses a source liquid 2 to activate a carbon dioxide source 41, and instead, a specialized fluid source may be used for activation. For example, the carbon dioxide activating fluid source 20 may include a syringe, piston pump, or other direct displacement device that is capable of dispensing the desired amount of fluid (water, citric acid, or other fluid) supplied to the cartridge 4. In another embodiment, the activating fluid source 20 the medium may contain a source of gravitational fluid delivery with an adjustable speed, for example, as in drip fluid supply systems used for intravenous administration of fluids to patients hospital, or may spray atomized water or other liquid to supply water vapor or other gas phase activating fluid to cartridge 4. Furthermore, although in FIG. 1 shows that the activating fluid source 20 supplies fluid to the upper part of the cartridge 4, the fluid source 20 can supply fluid to the lower part of the cartridge 4, for example, to fill the bottom of the cartridge or other suitable place. It is also contemplated that the activating fluid may be used in a cartridge with a carbon dioxide source 42, for example, in a chamber that is punctured to allow fluid to contact the source 42.

In one embodiment, the cartridge 4 (containing one or more parts) can be placed in the chamber 3 during the evolution of carbon dioxide. As a result, the cartridge 4 can be made of a relatively flexible material or otherwise designed so that the cartridge 4 cannot withstand a relatively high pressure gradient inside and outside of the cartridge 4. In other words, the chamber 3 of the cartridge is able to withstand any pressure generated by the carbon dioxide source 41 and, if necessary, serve as a support for the cartridge 4. In these illustrative embodiments, the cartridge 4 is placed in a closed and sealed chamber 3, the space or gap of which is around all or almost all of the cartridge 4. The pressure in the inner space of the cartridge 4 and the outside of the cartridge 4 can be equalized, for example, due to the “leakage” of a part of the gas emitted by the carbon dioxide source 41 into the space around the cartridge 4, as a result of which the cartridge 4 will not break through or flatten, even if it is made of semi-rigid, flexible or soft material. In alternative designs, the cartridge 4 may correspond to the receiving space in the chamber 3 and rest on the chamber 3 when pressure builds up inside the cartridge 4. Due to this support, tearing of the cartridge 4 or other interference with the desired functioning of the cartridge 4 can be prevented. In yet another embodiment, the cartridge 4 can be strong enough (in whole or in part) to withstand relatively high pressures (for example, 1 atmosphere or higher) during the interior of the cartridge. In this case, the cartridge chamber 3 should only serve as a physical support holding the cartridge 4 in place, or otherwise establish a connection with the cartridge to release gas from the cartridge 4 and / or supply fluid to the cartridge 4. For example, in this design, the cartridge chamber 3 can simply comprise a connecting hole that, with the possibility of fluid movement, physically connects the cartridge 4 to the system 1. Thus, in some embodiments, the cartridge may have sufficient mechanical strength to withstand pressure Nia to 90 lb / sq. inch, for example, as a traditional can of carbonated soft drinks, and can be fluidly connected to system 1, but without physical support from the side of system 1 (for example, the cartridge may not be surrounded by the walls of the chamber) to prevent the cartridge 4 from breaking using.

A carbon dioxide gas source 30 may be provided for supplying carbon dioxide gas from the cartridge chamber 3 to an area in which the gas is used to carbonate the liquid 2. The carbon dioxide gas source 30 may be constructed by any suitable method, and this illustrative embodiment comprises a channel 31, which, with the possibility of fluid movement, is located between the chamber 3 of the cartridge and the tank 11, and a filter 32, which helps to remove substances that can contaminate the original liquid 2, such as a particle source 41 of carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide gas source 30 may contain other components, such as pressure regulators, safety valves, control valves, a compressor or pump (for example, to increase gas pressure), a battery (for example, to help maintain a relatively constant gas pressure and / or build up gas) and etc. (By using a battery or similar gas storage device, the need to control the amount of gas emitted by the cartridge may be eliminated. Instead, the gas source may emit gas in an uncontrolled manner, while the emitted gas accumulates in the battery for subsequent delivery and use in the production of an effervescent beverage. Gas, released by the battery can be released in a controlled manner, for example, at controlled pressure and / or flow rate.) In this embodiment, channel 31 passes through original liquid surface 2 in the container 11, whereby gaseous carbon dioxide is injected into the liquid 2 to dissolve. The channel 31 may include an irrigation nozzle or other device to facilitate dissolution, for example, by creating relatively small gas bubbles in the liquid 2 in order to increase the gas dissolution rate. Alternatively, the channel 31 can deliver gas to the free space above the product (if any) in the tank 11, and not under the surface of the liquid 2.

The carbonation of the starting fluid 2 can occur through one or more mechanisms or processes, and, accordingly, is not limited to one specific process. For example, although gaseous carbon dioxide delivered through channel 31 to vessel 11 may aid in the dissolution of carbon dioxide in liquid 2, other components of the system may contribute to the carbonation process. In this illustrative embodiment, the source liquid source 10 can facilitate liquid carbonation by circulating the liquid through the pump 13 and the nozzle 14. In other words, the liquid 2 can be sucked from the container 13 by means of the immersion tube 15 and sprayed by the nozzle 14 into the free space filled with carbon dioxide above the product in tanks 11. As is known from the art, this process can help liquid 2 dissolve gaseous carbon dioxide, for example, by increasing the surface area of liquid 2, by contacting gas. Although in this embodiment, the immersion tube 15 is separate from the vessel 11 and extends beneath the surface of the source liquid 2, the immersion tube 15 can be constructed in other ways, for example, integrally with the wall of the vessel 11. If the immersion tube 15 is integral with capacity 11, by connecting the container 11 with the cover 12 between the immersion tube 15 and the pump 13 can be connected with the possibility of movement of the fluid. Due to the implementation of the immersion tube 15 in one piece with the tank 11 in the system 1 can be placed tanks 11 of different sizes (and, accordingly, of different volumes). In addition, this design can help ensure that only appropriately configured containers 11 are used (e.g., a vessel capable of withstanding system pressure). Alternatively, the immersion tube 15 may be flexible or otherwise accommodate containers 11 of various heights. Performed in one piece with the tank 11 or separately from it, the immersion tube 15 may contain a filter, a sieve or other device that helps to prevent the absorption of small particles, such as ice fragments, into the pump 13. In some embodiments, the container 11 can play the role of a drinking vessel, as well as a container 11 in the system 1. In other words, the user can place a drinking container / vessel 11 in the system 1 (for example, with a desired amount of water, ice and / or a drink medium ) and after completion of carbonation, use a drinking container / receptacle 11 to drink a drink. The container 11 may be insulated to keep the beverage cold, and may also be able to withstand the pressures acting on it when used in system 1.

The various components of the system 1 can be controlled by a controller 5, which may comprise a programmed universal computer and / or other data processing device with appropriate software or other operational commands, one or more memories (including read-only media in which software and / or can be stored other operational commands), power supply of controller 5 and / or other system components, temperature and liquid level sensors, pressure sensors, interrogating RFID devices, input-output interfaces (for example, for displaying information for the user and / or receiving data from the user), communication buses or other communication channels, display, switches, relays, triacs, motors, mechanical communications and / or actuators or other components necessary to perform the desired I / O functions or other functions. In this illustrative embodiment, the controller 5 controls the valve 21 of the activating fluid source 20, as well as the pump 13 of the source fluid source 10. In FIG. 1 shows a sensor 51, which can display one or more sensors used by the controller 5. For example, the sensor 51 can be a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the source liquid in the tank 11. This information can be used to control the operation of the system, for example, at higher at the temperature of the source liquid, controller 5 may extend the dissolution time of gaseous carbon dioxide in the source liquid 2. In other embodiments, the temperature of the source liquid 2 may use to determine whether system 1 will be used to carbonate liquid 2. For example, in some designs, the user must add sufficiently cold liquid 2 (and / or ice) to tank 11 before using system 1. (As described above, under some conditions, the original the liquid at relatively higher temperatures may not be sufficiently carbonated.) In another embodiment, the sensor 51 may be a pressure sensor used to determine the pressure in the vessel 11. This information may be used to determine if the container 11 is tightly closed by the cap 12 or if another pressure leak is present, and / or to determine if enough carbon dioxide gas emits a cartridge 4. For example, if a low pressure is detected, the controller 5 may increase the amount of fluid delivered by the activating fluid source 20 into the cartridge 4, or prompt the user to make sure that the container 11 and the lid 12 are properly adjacent to each other. Similarly, at high pressure, the fluid flow from the activating source 20 of the fluid may slow down or stop. Accordingly, the controller 5 is capable of adjusting the gas pressure in the container 11 and / or other parts of the system 1 by adjusting the amount of liquid delivered to the cartridge 4 and / or the chamber 3 of the cartridge. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor 51 determines that the container 11 is in place and / or is properly adjacent to the cover 12. For example, when the container 11 is properly mounted on the seal of the cover 12, a switch may be closed to indicate proper fit. In another design, the container 11 may comprise a RFID tag or other electronic device capable of providing the controller 5 with its identifier or other characteristics of the container 11. This information can be used to confirm whether the container 11 is suitable for use in the system 1, to regulate certain operating conditions (for example, depending on the type of container used, the working pressure may be limited, the initial liquid may be aerated to a level corresponding to the tank 11, etc.) and / or for other purposes. The sensor 51 is also capable of detecting the presence of the cartridge 4 in the chamber 3, for example, by RFID, optical recognition, physical detection, etc. If the cartridge 4 is not detected, or the controller 5 determines that the cartridge 4 has been used up, the controller 5 may prompt the user to install a new or different cartridge 4. For example, in some embodiments, one cartridge 4 may be used to carbonate multiple volumes of the original liquid 2. The controller 5 can track how many times cartridge 4 has been used, and as soon as the limit has been reached (for example, 10 drinks have been prepared), it can prompt the user to replace the cartridge. The sensor 51 may detect other parameters, such as the degree of aeration of the starting liquid 2 (which can be used to control the carbonation process), the presence of an applicable beverage vessel leaving the system 1 (for example, to prevent spillage of the beverage), the presence of water or other starting liquid 2 in the tank 11 or elsewhere in the source of the original liquid 10, the flow rate of the liquid in the pump 13 or its associated channel, the presence of free space above the product in the tank 11 (for example, if the free space your product is undesirable, a valve may be activated to release gas from the free space above the product, or if only carbon dioxide is desired in the free space above the product, a blow valve may be activated to release air from the free space above the product and replace carbon dioxide), etc.

The controller 5 may also allow the user to set the degree of aeration (i.e., the amount of gas dissolved in the beverage, i.e., carbon dioxide or other gas). For example, the controller 5 may include a touch screen display or other user interface that allows the user to set the desired degree of aeration, for example, allows the user to select a degree of aeration, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 volumes or select a low, medium, or high degree of aeration. All cartridges used by system 1 may contain enough gas source material to provide the highest degree of gas available, but controller 5 can control the system so that the amount of gas dissolved in the drink matches the selected degree of gasification. For example, although all cartridges can be designed to produce a highly carbonated drink, controller 5 can control system 1 so that less available gas is used (or the gas source emits less gas than is possible) when the drink is carbonated. The degrees of aeration can be adjusted based on the degrees of aeration detected by the sensor 51, the detected pressure in the container or elsewhere, the amount of gas emitted by the cartridge 4, or other parameters. In another embodiment, the cartridge 4 may contain special marks read by the controller, for example, a RFID tag, a barcode, an alphanumeric string, etc. to indicate the degree of aeration used for the drink. After the degree of carbonation is determined, the controller 5 can accordingly control the system 1. Thus, the user does not need to select the degree of carbonation by interacting with the system 1, and the degree of carbonation can be automatically adjusted based on the selected beverage. In yet another embodiment, the user may be able to select a cartridge 4 with a gas source that matches the degree of aeration desired by the user. (Different cartridges 4 can provide different degrees of aeration due to different amounts of gas source contained in them.) For example, a user can choose from cartridges providing a low, medium, and high degree of aeration in accordance with their desired degree of aeration, and install the selected cartridge in the system 1. Thus, a cartridge with a gas source that provides a low degree of aeration can be selected and used in the system to produce a slightly carbonated drink.

Alternatively, the user may be able to set the characteristics of the resulting beverage by interacting in a certain way with the cartridge 4 used in the system 1. For example, the user can change or shape a tongue, label or other physical characteristic of the cartridge to indicate the desired characteristics of the drink. For example, a broken tongue, a sliding indicator, closed or open perforation on the cartridge parts, etc., created by the user, can indicate the desired degree of aeration, the amount of the medium of the drink to be used in the preparation of the drink (in this case, system 1 may not use the entire medium of the drink in cartridge for the purpose of obtaining a drink), etc. The features in the cartridge 4 can also be used by the controller 5 to determine the characteristics of the cartridge, the beverage being received, or other components of the system 1. For example, the optical fibers in the cartridge 4 can serve as a light path that allows the controller 5 to optically determine the level of the beverage medium in the cartridge 4, the flow of the original liquid in the cartridge 4, the pressure in the cartridge (for example, when the deviation of the cartridge part indicating the pressure can be determined), the position of the piston, valve, or other component of the cartridge, the absence of the medium of the drink in the car Ridge (to indicate the completion of the beverage), etc. Other characteristics of the sensors may be provided in the cartridge, such as electrical contacts of the sensors (for example, for measuring the conductivity, which displays the degree of gasation or other properties of the initial liquid), an acoustic sensor (for determining gas evolution, fluid flow, or other characteristics of the cartridge), etc. .P.

To obtain a carbonated beverage in the beverage preparation system 1, the user may first use the desired amount of the starting liquid 2 in the container 11, as well as optionally ice and / or the beverage medium. Alternatively, the carbonated liquid may automatically or manually aromatize after completion of carbonation. Then, the container 11 is connected to the cover 12, for example, by screwing the container 11 with the cover 12, actuating the clamping mechanism, or in another way. A cartridge 4 containing a carbon dioxide source 41 (for example, in the form of a solid material, such as a zeolite saturated with carbon dioxide) can be placed in the cartridge chamber 3, which is closed. In other embodiments, the cartridge 4 may be coupled to the system 1 in such a way that the fluid may be moved in a different manner, such as screwing the threaded portion of the cartridge 4 into a corresponding hole in the system. The cartridge chamber 3 may act in any suitable manner, for example, as a plurality of capsule coffee machines or other beverage machines. For example, a manual lever may be used to lift the lid of the chamber 3 to access the receiving part of the chamber 3. When the cartridge 4 is in the chamber 3, the lever can again be used to close the lid and hermetically close the chamber 3. When the cartridge 4 is connected to the system 1, the controller 5 can actuate the system 1 to deliver fluid to the chamber 3, for example, to cause a discharge carbon dioxide. The controller 5 can drive the system in automatic mode, for example, by detecting the presence of the cartridge 4 in the chamber 3, the liquid 2 in the tank 11 and sealing the chamber 3. Alternatively, the controller 5 can drive the system in response to a user presses a button a start or other input action (for example, voice) to start preparing a drink. The controller 5 can drive a pump 13, which sucks in liquid from the immersion tube 15 and discharges the liquid 2 into the nozzle 14. The valve 21 can open to deliver the corresponding portion of the initial liquid 2 to the chamber 3, and the resulting gaseous carbon dioxide can be supplied to the tank 11 by a source 30 gaseous carbon dioxide. The process may continue for a predetermined time depending on other conditions, such as the set degree of gasification, reduction in gas evolution by the cartridge 4, or other parameters. During operation, the amount of fluid entering the chamber 3 can be adjusted to control the amount of gas emitted by the cartridge 4. The regulation of the fluid entering the cartridge 4 can be based on a time sequence (for example, valve 21 can open for a certain time, and then shut down for a certain time, etc.), based on a given pressure (for example, the fluid supply may stop when the pressure in the chamber 3 and / or tank 11 exceeds a threshold, and resume when the pressure falls below a threshold or other value), based on the volume of activating liquid entering the chamber 3 (for example, a specific volume of liquid can be supplied to the cartridge 4) or by other methods. Upon completion, the user can disconnect the beverage container 11 from the lid 12.

In FIG. 1 shows only one illustrative embodiment of a beverage preparation system 1, but other designs are possible, including systems using other features of the invention. For example, according to one aspect of the invention, the aromatization of an effervescent beverage may automatically occur in the cartridge. Thus, the process of obtaining a beverage can become easier and more convenient for the user, and the likelihood of mutual contamination of drinks and / or the need to rinse the mixing chamber can be reduced. In other words, by mixing the beverage medium with the original liquid in the cartridge (which may be disposable), each beverage can be efficiently prepared in system 1 using its own mixing chamber. For example, if a carbonated cherry drink is prepared in system 1, and then a lemon drink, there may be a chance of transferring the cherry flavor that has been stored in the mixing chamber to the lemon drink. Rinsing or otherwise cleaning the mixing chamber can help eliminate or attenuate such a transfer of aroma, but when mixing each beverage in the cartridge, the need to rinse the mixing chamber or other components of the system can be completely eliminated. Mixing of the beverage medium with the starting liquid can take place in a specialized mixing chamber of the cartridge (s), in the part of the cartridge in which the medium of the drink is stored, and / or in the part of the cartridge in which the gas source is stored. However, it is understood that the beverage medium can be mixed with the starting liquid in other ways, such as forcing the beverage medium from the cartridge directly into a vessel or other container of the user or into the mixing chamber of the beverage machine. Thus, the beverage medium can be mixed with sparkling water or other liquid directly in the user's vessel.

According to another aspect of the invention, the starting liquid can be aerated using a contactor (a device for aerating or dissolving a gas) that contains a permeable membrane (for example, permeable to at least gas) having a gas side and a liquid side. Gas on the gas side can act on the source liquid on the liquid side, and since the membrane can increase the surface area of the liquid exposed to the gas, the dissolution of carbon dioxide or other gas in the source liquid can be faster than using other methods. In one embodiment, the aeration device may comprise a hollow fiber contactor in which hollow fibers of a hydrophobic material, such as polypropylene, comprise a starting fluid. The fibers are porous and have openings that, in combination with the hydrophobicity of the material, provide gas contact from the outside of the fibers to the liquid, while preventing the escape of liquid from the inside of the fibers. Membrane contactors suitable for this purpose are manufactured by Membrana (Charlotte, North Carolina, USA). Of course, other “membrane” structures can be used, such as structures that prevent the volumetric flow of liquid through the barrier, but allow the gas to pass through the barrier in order to dissolve in the liquid. For example, instead of a hollow fiber structure, a membrane with a flat, spirally wound and / or flat entwined structure can be used. In addition, in some designs, the direction of gas flow through the contactor may be generally opposite to the direction of fluid flow through the contactor, for example, to facilitate gas exchange. However, other flow directions are possible.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second parts of the cartridge can be placed in the cartridge chamber of the beverage preparation system, the first part of the cartridge containing a carbon dioxide source emitting carbon dioxide gas for use in aeration, and the second part of the cartridge containing a beverage medium for mixing with source liquid and obtain a drink. The cartridge chamber may contain one receiving part for accommodating both parts of the cartridge or a plurality of receiving parts separated from each other, for example, for accommodating two or more cartridges, each of which contains a first or second cartridge part. This design can help simplify the application of the system, in particular when parts of the cartridge are designed for single use only, for example, obtaining one volume of a drink and then are thrown away. For example, the user may place one or two cartridges, which contain the first and second parts, in the receiving parts of the cartridge chamber without having to install the tight, leak-proof or other connections required by the system for proper operation. Instead, parts of the cartridge can simply be placed in the receiver and the cartridge chamber closed to prepare the system for preparing drinks.

In FIG. 2 shows another illustrative embodiment using the features of using a membrane contactor for aerating the initial liquid with gas from the cartridge, mixing the medium of the drink with liquid in the cartridge, and using the cartridge chamber, which houses the first and second parts of the cartridge, which contain, respectively, a gas source and drink medium. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, and may be modified to include one or more components similar to those shown in FIG. 1. However, in FIG. 2 shows some alternative constructions in order to illustrate other ways in which the beverage preparation system 1 can be modified in accordance with the features of the invention. In this embodiment, the container 11 is a closed container that does not have a removable lid. The source liquid 2 can be supplied to the tank 11 by any applicable method, such as a water supply (not shown), a pump 13 (or another pump) for pumping liquid from a separate storage tank (not shown) to the tank 11, gravity feed from a separate storage tank by means of an adjustable valve (not shown), etc. The tank 11 may have any applicable volume and is fluidly connected to a pump 13, which is capable of circulating the source liquid 2 through the contactor 6 and back to the tank 11 through the nozzle 14. (Such circulation can facilitate the dissolution of the gas in the source liquid 2 and can used in any beverage preparation system 1, any described in the invention or otherwise included in the scope of the present invention.) As described above, the initial liquid 2 can pass through the hollow fibers in the contactor 6, atyvaya carbon dioxide or other gas around the fibers, but this arrangement may be replaced by the opposite arrangement in which the gas flows through the fibers 2 and the raw liquid is outside the fiber. A filter 16 may be provided to remove substances contained in the source liquid 2 that can clog the fibers, pores in the fibers or otherwise interfere with the operation of the contactor 6. Alternatively or additionally, the filter 16 may condition the liquid 2, for example, by softening, removing alkaline or other elements that tend to increase the pH of liquid 2, removing elements that may impede the production of a drink with a pleasant taste, etc. For example, filter 16 may contain activated charcoal and / or other components used in commonly used water filters. The contactor 6 may comprise a plurality of hollow fibers extending inside a closed tube or other chamber, wherein the internal fiber channels fluidly connect the inlet of the contactor 6 to its outlet. The gas space around the fibers can communicate with the carbon dioxide source 30 through one or more openings on the gas side of the contactor 6. However, it is understood that the contactor 6 may be constructed in other ways, for example, may contain one or more membranes in the form a flat sheet or other forms besides tubular, forming a side for liquid and a side for gas of contactor 6.

The activating fluid source 20 is constructed similarly to the source shown in FIG. 1, wherein the adjustable valve 21 is fluidly connected to the outlet of the pump 13. However, in this embodiment, the activating fluid source 20 supplies fluid to an area near the bottom of the chamber 3 and the cartridge 4. This design can assist the activating source 20 fluid better to regulate the release of gas from a source of carbon dioxide 41. For example, water falling from above onto a carbon dioxide source 41 can be distributed over a large area, which allows saturated carbon dioxide zeolites or other starting materials to be distributed over a large area and release gas. When supplying liquid from below, the activating source of fluid 20 may flood the cartridge 4 and / or chamber 3, allowing water to come into contact with the carbon dioxide source 41 from the bottom up. Due to this, it is possible to more accurately control the volume of the source of carbon dioxide 41, which is activated and releases gas. In the case where the carbon dioxide source 41 is capable of sucking up or otherwise moving water up (for example, due to the capillary effect), the parts of the source 41 can be separated from each other by non-sucking substances. For example, source 41 may comprise a kit in the form of a pack of zeolite disks that are separated by a non-suction material, such as metal or hard plastic dividers. Due to this, the source 20 of the fluid can gradually increase the level of fluid in the cartridge 4 over a certain period of time to sequentially activate individual disks.

The carbon dioxide gas source 30 directs (by means of an optional filter 32 and channel 31) the gas emitted by the cartridge 4 to the gas side of the contactor 6. The channel 31 may include a shut-off valve floating in the water or other device allowing gas to enter the contactor 6, but preventing exit fluid from chamber 3 of the cartridge. For example, a ball valve floating in the chamber 3 of the cartridge under normal conditions may leave the opening of the channel 31 open for flow, but may float to the surface of the liquid in the cartridge 4 and close the hole, for example, if the activating fluid source 20 delivers an excess of activating liquid. The controller 5 can monitor the gas pressure in the chamber 3, the channel 31 and / or on the gas side of the contactor 6 in order to control the activating source 20 of the fluid and gas evolution. In one embodiment, the activating fluid source 20 can be adjusted to provide a gas pressure on the gas side of the contactor 6 of about 35-45 psi. inch. It was found that this pressure is at least adequate for carbonating about 400-500 ml of water at a temperature of about 0 ° C for about 30-60 seconds using a hollow fiber contactor, as described in more detail in the Examples below. As the carbon dioxide in the contactor dissolves in the source liquid 2, the pressure on the gas side drops, and the controller 5 supplies the additional liquid 2 to the cartridge 4a to cause additional gas to be released. Similarly to the system of FIG. 1, this process can be based on any criteria, such as the expiration of a specific amount of time, the determination of the specific degree of carbonation of the liquid 2, the depletion of the carbon dioxide source 41, the volume of liquid supplied to the cartridge 4a, etc., as a result of which the pressure of the gaseous dioxide carbon can be maintained in the desired range above ambient pressure.

Upon completion of carbonation of the initial liquid 2, the controller 5 can direct the liquid 2 into the cartridge 4b for the beverage medium in the chamber 3 of the cartridge. Although the source liquid 2 can be displaced from the container 11 by any suitable method (such as by gravity, using a pump, etc.), in this embodiment, the controller 5 drives the air pump 7, which creates excess pressure in the container 11 as a result of which the initial liquid 2 is displaced through the channel into the chamber 3 of the cartridge and the cartridge 4b for the beverage medium. In other embodiments, the pressure of the gas emitted by the carbon dioxide source 41 can be used to create excess pressure in the container 11 and displace the original liquid into the beverage medium cartridge 4b. For example, when carbonation is completed, gas from the cartridge 4a can be sent directly to the container 11 in order to create excess pressure in the container 11, and not to the contactor 6. Although it is shown that a channel that is capable of moving fluid connects the container 11 and the cartridge 4b, it does not have valves; in order to regulate the flow, an adjustable valve, pump or other applicable component can be additionally used. By using air or other gas to move the liquid 2 through the cartridge 4b (or to displace the beverage medium from the cartridge 4b), the system 1 can “blow” the cartridge 4b at the end or shortly before the end of the beverage production process, for example, to remove any remaining material from cartridge 4b. This may be useful in order to create less contamination when handling the cartridge 4b (for example, by reducing the likelihood that drops will drain from the cartridge 4b from the chamber 3). A similar process can be used to purge the cartridge 4a, for example, using an air pump or gas emitted by the source 41.

The flow of the original liquid 2 through the cartridge 4b for the medium of the drink may cause the liquid 2 to mix with the medium 42 of the drink before it spills, for example, in a prepared vessel 8 or other container. The beverage medium cartridge 4b may contain any substance (beverage medium) suitable for preparing the beverage, such as concentrated syrups, ground coffee or liquid coffee extract, tea leaves, dry herbal tea, dry beverage concentrate, an extract or powder of dried fruit thereof, natural and / or artificial flavors or dyes, acids, flavors, viscosity modifiers, opacifiers, oxidation inhibitors, powder or liquid concentrated broth or other soup, powder or liquid pocket medical substances (such as powdered vitamins, minerals, bioactive ingredients, drugs or other pharmaceutical formulations, nutraceuticals, etc.), milk powder or liquid cream or other substitutes, sweeteners, thickeners, etc. (The term “mixing” a liquid with a beverage medium as used means a variety of mechanisms, such as dissolving substances in a beverage medium, extracting substances from a beverage medium and / or otherwise extracting a substance from the beverage medium.) Liquid 2 can be introduced into cartridge 4b by any by the applicable method, and / or the cartridge 4b may be constructed by any applicable method to facilitate mixing of the liquid 2 with the beverage medium 42. For example, the source liquid 2 may be introduced into the cartridge 4b in such a way as to create a spiral or other flow pattern, while the cartridge 4b may contain a labyrinth or other tortuous flow path to create turbulence in the flow and facilitate mixing, and the like. One of the potential benefits of mixing the starting liquid 2 in the cartridge 4b for the beverage medium is the ability to prevent the mutual contamination of the beverage medium that might occur when using a mixing chamber to mix the beverage medium and liquid 2 for each beverage prepared in system 1. However, the system 1 can be modified to reuse the mixing chamber, for example, the space in which the beverage medium 42 coming from the cartridge 4b and the starting liquid are mixed 2, almost the same as when preparing drinks in industrial machines. For example, the beverage medium 42 may be expelled from the cartridge 4b (e.g., air pressure, carbon dioxide gas pressure emitted by the cartridge 4a, gravity, suction force generated by the drive pump, Venturi nozzle or other device, etc.) into the mixing chamber or a user vessel into which the initial liquid 2 is also introduced. Washing of the mixing chamber may not be necessary, for example, to prevent mutual contamination of drinks. In some designs, the entire volume of beverage medium 42 may be discharged into the mixing chamber, as a result of which the initial amounts of flavored starting liquid 2 exiting the mixing chamber have a high concentration of the beverage medium. However, as the beverage medium 42 is displaced from the mixing chamber by the source liquid 2, the source liquid itself can effectively wash the mixing chamber. In designs in which the beverage medium 42 is a dry substance, such as a powder, a portion of the source liquid may be introduced into the cartridge to pre-wet the medium 42 or otherwise improve the ability of the medium 42 to mix with the source liquid 2. The wetted medium 42 may be mixed with the additional source liquid 2 in the cartridge, or wetted medium 42 may be forced out of the cartridge, for example, by air pressure, a plunger, etc. into the mixing chamber or other place for further mixing with the starting liquid 2. The liquid 2 can be introduced into the mixing chamber using multiple streams, for example, to increase the mixing speed at low flow rates and thereby reduce the loss of dissolved gas.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 can be modified so that the flow of the source liquid 2 exiting the contactor 6 is directed directly to the beverage medium cartridge 4b or to another mixing chamber in which the beverage medium 42 is mixed with the carbonated source liquid 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. In other words, in this illustrative embodiment, the carbonated feed liquid 2 from the container 11 does not circulate through the contactor 6 back to the container 11, but once passes through the contactor 6 and then mixes with the beverage medium 42 in the mixing chamber 9 and is poured into the vessel 8 However, in the structure illustrated in FIG. 3, a circulation loop can also be used so that the liquid 2 from the tank 11 or another tank circulates through the contactor 6 back to the tank 11 or another tank. The mixing chamber 9 can have any applicable shape, for example, it can provide a spiral, swirl or other movement of the original liquid 2 and the medium 42 of the drink to enhance mixing, can have one or more vanes, impellers or other electric elements for mixing the contents in the chamber 9 etc. Although the mixing chamber 9 may be separate from the cartridge 4, if desired, the mixing chamber 9 may be included in the cartridge 4. The mixing chamber 9 may also be cooled, for example, by a cold supply system to facilitate cooling of the beverage being dispensed into the vessel 8. Alternatively , the source liquid 2 may be cooled in the container 11 and / or other places in the system 1. When the carbonated liquid 2 does not aromatize, or when the liquid 2 is mixed with the beverage medium 42 before passing through the carbonation device 6, mix The laminar chamber 9 may be omitted or used to mix the source liquid 2 and the beverage medium 42 to the contactor 6. Alternatively, the source 10 source may serve to mix the source liquid 2 with the beverage medium 42 in the cartridge 4b until the liquid 2 is directed to the contactor 6 In this embodiment, the beverage medium 42 may be delivered to the mixing chamber 9 by any suitable means, such as the pressure of air or other gas (for example, supplied by an air pump, gas source 41, etc.), gravity flow a (e.g., by opening a valve or door), the introduction of all or part of the source liquid 2 used to prepare the beverage, the second cartridge 4b, 4b compression cartridge with a view to displacing medium 42 into the mixing chamber 9, and other means. The controller 5 can determine the gas pressure on the gas side of the contactor 6 and accordingly adjust the flow of fluid into the cartridge 4a, for example, to maintain the appropriate gas pressure in the contactor 6. The tank 11 may be a storage tank for water that is not exposed pressure in this embodiment, and can be removed from the system 1, for example, to facilitate its filling by the user. If desired, the user can add ice and / or drink medium to the source liquid 2 in the tank 11. Alternatively, the tank 11 and the pump 13 can be replaced by a pressure connection to the water source and an optional control and / or pressure reducing valve. Of course, as in other embodiments, the system 1 can be appropriately closed by a housing with a visible display, buttons, handles, or touch screen for user input, a user-controlled cartridge opening / closing device for the cartridge, and other capabilities of beverage machines.

Other designs of the beverage production system 1 are possible, such as shown in FIG. 4. In this illustrative embodiment, the cartridge chamber 3 is integrated with the container 11, and the cartridge 4a with the carbon dioxide source 41 is housed in the container 11. The cartridge 4a can be placed in the container 11 / cartridge chamber 3 by disconnecting the cap 12 from the container 11. Liquid may be supplied into cartridge 4a by any applicable activating fluid source 20 of the same design as in FIG. 1, by a syringe or piston pump, which delivers a metered amount of liquid to the cartridge 4a, and other means. In this embodiment, the carbon dioxide source 30 is combined with the tank 11, whereby part of the tank is used to deliver gaseous carbon dioxide to the source liquid 2. The aeration process can facilitate the pump 13 by circulating the liquid 2 and spraying it into the free space filled with carbon dioxide above the product in the container 11. In another embodiment, the contactor 6 can be placed in the container 11 (for example, at the location of the nozzle 14), while the liquid 2 flows through the hollow fibers extending downward from yshki 12, and absorbs carbon dioxide in the headspace as it passes through the fiber. In yet another design, the membrane portion of the contactor 6 can be at least partially immersed in the source liquid 2, and the gas from the source 41 can pass through the hollow fibers of the contactor 6. As a result, the liquid 2 from the outside of the fibers can trap carbon dioxide from the gas passing through the fibers . In this design, the fibers of the contactor 6 may be in the tank 11 or another tank, as shown, or may be in the vessel 8 of the user. Thus, the liquid 2 can be aerated, or gas can be dissolved in it in some other way when it is in the vessel 8.

Although the cartridge chamber 3 may be constructed in any suitable manner, in FIG. 5 shows one of the illustrative structures in which both the carbon dioxide source cartridge 4a and the beverage medium cartridge 4b can be housed in the same chamber 3. In this embodiment, the cartridges 4a, 4b (which respectively have parts, which contain a gas source 41 and a beverage medium 42) are housed in separate receptacles 33, wherein at the bottom of each cartridge receptacle 33 there may be a piercing element 34. The piercing element 34, which may comprise a hollow needle, spike, blade, knife or other device, my can form a hole in the corresponding cartridge 4. Alternatively, the cartridges 4 may have predetermined holes, for example, one or more holes containing a baffle or other valve-type element that passes a stream into the cartridge 4 and / or from the cartridge 4. Similarly, the cover 12 may include a piercing element 35, which forms a hole in the upper part of the corresponding cartridge 4, for example, when the cover 12 is closed. With the lid 12 closed, a sealed chamber may be formed in which cartridges 4a, 4b are placed in isolation from one another. The holes formed in the cartridges 4a, 4b can communicate with the interior of the cartridges 4a, 4b, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, the opening at the top of the cartridge 4a may allow carbon dioxide or other gas to escape from the chamber 3 of the cartridge, and the opening at the bottom of the cartridge 4a may allow water or other activating fluid to enter the cartridge 4a. Of course, the holes can be formed in other places, for example, a hole that allows fluid to flow from above or from the side of the cartridge. Similarly, gas may exit the cartridge through an opening in the bottom, side, or elsewhere. As mentioned above, gas can flow from the cartridge 4a into the chamber 3 around the cartridge 4a, for example, through an opening in the cartridge 4a, through an opening in the piercing element 35, etc. Thus, during gas evolution, the pressure around the cartridge and the pressure inside the cartridge can equalize, which helps to prevent tearing of the cartridge 4a. Alternatively, the cartridge 4a may fit tightly into the receiver 33, and the cartridge chamber 3 is capable of supporting the cartridge 4a (if necessary). A hole at the top of the beverage medium cartridge 4b may allow the feed liquid 2 to be introduced into the cartridge 4b (for example, to mix with the beverage medium) or allow compressed air or other gas to enter the cartridge (for example, to expel the beverage medium 42 from the cartridge 4b into the mixing chamber or vessel). The hole in the bottom of the cartridge 4b may allow the beverage to enter the prepared vessel or other container or allow the beverage medium to move into the mixing chamber or vessel. As with the cartridge 4a, the opening in the cartridge 42 for the medium of the drink can be in any suitable place or places.

The cartridge chamber 3 can be opened and closed in any suitable manner, which allows the cartridges 4 to be placed in and / or removed from the chamber 3. In the illustrated in FIG. 5 of the embodiment, the cover 12 is pivotally mounted on the receiving part of the camera 3, and can be opened and closed manually. for example, using a handle and a lever or automatically, for example, using an electric drive to close the cartridge receivers 33. In other embodiments, cap 12 may have two or more portions, each of which is coupled to a respective cartridge receiver 33. Thus, the lid portions can move independently of one another and open / close cartridge receivers 33. Of course, the cover 12 can be constructed differently, for example, it can be connected to the receivers 33 by a threaded connection (as a screw cap), while the receivers 33 can approach and move away from the cover 12, and the cover 12 can remain stationary, like a cover, so receivers can move, etc. In addition, the cartridge chamber 3 does not need to be constructed of a cap and receivers, such as that shown in FIG. 5, but may contain a corresponding element or interacting elements that open / close the cartridge and support it. For example, a pair of clamping elements moving relative to each other can be used to provide placement and physical support for the cartridge. Some other illustrative constructions of the cartridge chamber are described, for example, in US Pat. leakage or other special connection between the cartridge and other parts of the system 1. Instead, in some embodiments, the user may be able to simply place the cartridge in the receiving space and beyond cover the cartridge chamber.

Cartridges 4 used in various embodiments may be constructed in any suitable manner, for example, as a relatively simple frustoconical cup-shaped container with a lid attached to the top of the container, for example, as some of the cartridges offered by Keurig, Incorporated (Reading, in Massachusetts, USA) and described, for example, in US Pat. about 30-50 mm, an internal volume of about 30-60 ml, and a tensile strength of about 80 psi. inch (i.e., tear resistance in the presence of a pressure gradient inside and outside the cartridge is about 80 psi if the cartridge does not have any physical support). However, the “cartridge” may be given any applicable shape, for example, a pod (for example, from opposite layers of filter paper around the substance), capsule, sachet, container, or any other shape. The cartridge may not have a predetermined shape (as in the case of some sachets or other containers of a completely flexible material). The cartridge may be impervious to air and / or liquid, or may allow water and / or air to pass through. The cartridge may include a filter or other device, for example, in a cartridge 4b for a beverage medium, which helps to prevent mixing of some parts of the beverage medium with the resulting beverage, and / or in a cartridge 4a for a gas, which helps prevent the introduction of carbon dioxide source material into the drink or other system components .

According to one aspect of the invention, the cartridge or cartridges used to make a beverage in a beverage preparation system may have a smaller, in some cases significantly less volume than a beverage produced using the cartridge (s). For example, when using cartridges 4 for carbon dioxide and a beverage medium, each of the cartridges may have a volume of about 50 ml or less and can be used to produce a beverage with a volume of about 200-500 ml or more. The authors found (as shown in some examples below) that carbon dioxide saturated with carbon dioxide (for example, carbon dioxide saturated with zeolite) in an amount of about 30 grams (volume less than 30 ml) can be used to produce about 400-500 ml of sparkling water with degree of aeration about 3.5 volumes. In addition, it is well known that syrups or powders with a volume of less than about 50 ml or less than about 100 ml can be used to produce a suitably flavored beverage with a volume of about 400-500 ml. Thus, cartridges (or one cartridge in some designs) of relatively small volumes from about 100 ml to about 250 ml or less can be used to produce a carbonated drink with a volume of from about 100 to 1000 ml with a degree of aeration of at least about 1.5 to 4 volumes in less than 120 seconds, for example, about 60 seconds using pressures of less than 50 psi. inch.

Although separate carbon dioxide and beverage media cartridges 4 can be used, in one embodiment, the cartridges 4 can be combined as shown in FIG. 6. Cartridges 4a, 4b may be connected to each other by any suitable means, such as tabs 43, which extend from the respective cartridges 4a, 4b and connected to each other, for example, by heat welding, adhesive, snap-fit mechanical fasteners, such as latches or clips, etc. This design may allow the manufacture of cartridges 4a, 4b separately under industrial conditions, for example, since this requires very different technologies. For example, in the manufacture of cartridges 4b for a beverage medium, a medium with a high degree of sterility may be required, and in the manufacture of cartridges 4a for gas, such an environment is not required. In contrast, in the manufacture of gas cartridges 4a, a water-free medium may be required, while the manufacture of cartridges 4b for a beverage medium may be associated with such requirements. After the manufacture of cartridges 4a, 4b, they can be connected to each other so as to prevent their separation without the use of tools (such as scissors) and / or damage to one or both of the cartridges. The chamber 3 can be designed to accommodate the connected cartridges, which allows the user to place a single cartridge in the chamber 3 in order to obtain a drink. In addition, the cartridges 4 and / or the method of their connection, as well as the design of the chamber 3 can help ensure the placement of the gas cartridge 4a and the media cartridge 4b in the respective receiver 33. For example, the sizes, shapes or other configurations of the cartridges 4 may vary so that prevent mis orientation when placing the arranged cartridges 4 in the chamber 3. Alternatively, the controller 5 may determine that the cartridges are not correctly placed (for example, by maintaining communication with the RFID tag on one or both of the cartridges jah, by optical or other identification cartridges, etc.), and prompt the user that must be replaced when necessary.

In FIG. 7 and 8, another embodiment is illustrated in which a pair of cartridges are connected to each other so as to help prevent cartridges from being misplaced in the chamber and / or to allow cartridges to work in different orientations. As shown in FIG. 7, the cartridges 4a and 4b are connected by a connection 43 such that in the vertical orientation of the cartridge 4a, when the bottom of the container 44 is facing down and the lid 45 covering the top of the container is facing up, the cartridge 4b is positioned so that the cover 45 is turned sideways. In FIG. 8 shows a top view of an embodiment in which the lid 45 of the cartridge 4a is facing the observer and the lid 45 of the cartridge 4b is facing down. This design may be useful in embodiments in which the cartridges 4 are pierced, for example, only in the region of the lid, and the bottom 44 or other parts of the container are not pierced. In other words, the gas cartridge 4a may be punctured in the region of the cap 45 to allow liquid to be introduced into the cartridge 4a and to allow gas to escape. In some embodiments, the inlet for the activating fluid (liquid and / or gas) may be the same as the outlet for the gas emitted by the gas source. For example, in the lid 45, a single hole may be pierced through which water is introduced and gas released by the gas source exits. Similarly, the lid 45 of the cartridge 4b may be punctured to allow liquid to be introduced into the cartridge 4b for mixing with the beverage medium 42 and to allow the flavored beverage to exit the cartridge 4b. The exclusion of piercing the container may be useful in designs in which the container is made of a relatively thick and / or rigid material (for example, to withstand the operating pressures in cartridge 4).

According to another aspect of the invention, a single cartridge can be used to provide a gas for carbonation as well as a beverage medium. Essentially, in some embodiments, the starting liquid may be carbonated and aromatized in the same cartridge. For example, in FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 4, which contains both a gas source 41 (for example, zeolite as a carbon dioxide source) and a beverage medium 42. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4 comprises first and second chambers (or parts) 46, 47, which respectively contain a gas source 41 and a beverage medium 42. The first and second chambers (or parts) 46, 47 can be separated from each other by a permeable element, such as a filter, or an impermeable element, such as a wall formed integrally with the cartridge capacity. In this embodiment, the first and second chambers (or parts) 46, 47 are separated by a filter 48, which is attached to the cover 45, but can be constructed differently. The source liquid and / or activating liquid may be introduced into the first chamber 46 by means of a piercing element 35 or other device, such as a hole that is part of the cartridge 4. A pressure of, for example, 30-150 psi may be maintained in the interior of the cartridge 4. an inch above atmospheric pressure or a higher pressure, as a result of which the dissolution of the gaseous carbon dioxide released by the source 41 occurs faster than at lower pressures. In addition, the system 1, designed for the use of such cartridges, may include a valve for regulating the back pressure or other device that helps maintain the applicable pressure in the cartridge 4, for example, to facilitate carbonation. As mentioned above, the chamber 3 in which the cartridge 4 is housed can, if necessary, fit snugly against the cartridge 4, providing support and preventing tearing of the cartridge. Alternatively, the pressure in the cartridge 4 may be allowed to leak into the space around the cartridge 4 in order to equalize the pressures inside and outside the cartridge, or the cartridge may be designed to withstand operating pressures without physical or other support. The carbonated feed liquid 2 and / or the mixture of liquid / gas bubbles can pass through a filter 48 into a second chamber 47 for mixing with the beverage medium 42. After that, the mixture of the source liquid 2 and the medium 42 can exit the cartridge 4, for example, through a piercing element 34 in the bottom 44 of the tank. The dissolution of carbon dioxide in the source liquid 2, as well as the mixing of the beverage medium 42 with the liquid 2, may continue after the materials exit the cartridge 4. For example, to facilitate more complete mixing of the beverage medium and the liquid, after mixing cartridge 4, a mixer may be located if necessary camera. In addition, the channel after the cartridge can help to continue the dissolution of the gas, for example, by maintaining pressure in the liquid.

Although in FIG. 9 and 10 show a construction in which the gas source 41 and the beverage medium 42 are separated by a filter 48, in other embodiments, the gas source 41 and the beverage medium 42 may be mixed, for example, the source liquid 2 is simultaneously mixed with the beverage medium 42 and is exposed to gas from the source 41 gas. In some cases, a gas that does not dissolve in liquid 2 may be directed to another location, for example, to a contactor 6 for dissolution in liquid 2 upstream or downstream, for example, to increase the level of dissolved gas. In one embodiment, the implementation of the particles of the substance, the source of gas 41 may be coated with a medium 42 of the drink.

In the above embodiments, it is described that the cartridge 4 has predetermined bottom and top and operates according to a vertical configuration. However, as shown in FIG. 7 and 8, the cartridge may operate in any applicable orientation. For example, in FIG. 10 shows an embodiment in which a cartridge configured as shown in FIG. 9 when the cartridge 4 is placed on the side. (It should be noted that the cartridge 4b in Figs. 7 and 8 can be used similarly to the cartridge shown in Fig. 10.) In the first chamber (or part) 46 can be introduced (for example, by means of a piercing element 35) the source liquid, causing the gas source 41 emit gas and at least partially flood the interior of the cartridge 4. As in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the liquid may be carbonated and mixed with the beverage medium 42 before exiting the cartridge, for example, through a piercing element 34.

As already mentioned above, one cartridge 4 may contain the first and second chambers 46, 47, isolated or separated from each other. In FIG. 11 shows one such embodiment in which the first and second chambers (or parts) 46, 47 are separated by a wall 49. In a system 1, such as that shown in FIG. 2, a cartridge such as that shown in FIG. 11, although the cartridge chamber 3 may require modification to accommodate one cartridge 4. As shown in FIG. 11, in one embodiment, the activating fluid may be supplied through the piercing element 35 on top of the first chamber (or part) 46, and the gas may exit through the same or another orifice. Alternatively, an activating liquid may be introduced through the piercing element 34 at the bottom of the first chamber (or part) 46, and gas may escape through the piercing element 35 from above. In yet another embodiment, the starting fluid may be introduced through the upper piercing element 35, and the carbonated fluid may be released through the lower piercing element 34. The first chamber (or part) 46 may include a filter or other applicable components, for example, to help prevent the exit of the gas source 41 from the chamber (or part) 46. With regard to the second chamber (or part) 47, air or other gas may be introduced through the piercing element 35 on top of the second chamber (or part) 47, displacing the beverage medium 42 from the piercing element 34 at the bottom of the second chamber (or part) 47, for example, into a mixing chamber or vessel of the user. Alternatively, the starting fluid may be introduced through the piercing element 35 on top of the second chamber 47, mixed with the beverage medium 42 and exiting the cartridge 4 through the piercing element 34. As described above, the construction of the piercing element 34, 35 in this illustrative embodiment should not be interpret as limiting in any way features of the invention. In other words, the piercing elements are optionally used, and instead, the flow to / from the cartridge 4 may pass through predetermined openings or other openings in the cartridge 4. In addition, the openings for the flow in the cartridge do not have to be on top, bottom, or in another specific position .

The cartridge (s) may be made of any applicable materials, and its design is not limited to the illustrated container and lid. For example, the cartridge (s) may be made or otherwise contain materials that serve as a barrier to moisture and / or gases, such as oxygen, water vapor, etc. In one embodiment, the cartridge (s) may be made of a layered polymer, for example, a sheet containing a layer of polystyrene or polypropylene and a layer of EVOH and / or other barrier material, such as a metal foil. In addition, the materials and / or design of the cartridge (s) may vary depending on the substances contained in the cartridge. For example, a gas cartridge 4a may require a strong moisture barrier, and a beverage medium cartridge 4b may not require this degree of moisture protection. Thus, the cartridges can be made of various materials and / or in various ways. In addition, the internal design of the cartridge may vary depending on the desired function. For example, the beverage medium cartridge 4b may include deflectors or other structures directing the liquid / medium of the beverage along a winding path to facilitate mixing. The gas cartridge 4a may be designed to accommodate the gas source 41 in a specific position or other device in the interior, for example, to help regulate the wetting of the source 41 with an activating fluid.

The cartridge can also be designed to provide visual or other detectable indications of the suitability of the cartridge for use in order to obtain a drink. For example, the cartridge may comprise a pop-up indicator, a color indicator, or other element indicating that the gas source is at least partially activated. The user who sees this indication can determine that the cartridge is not suitable for use in a beverage machine. In another embodiment, a sensor that detects activation of a gas source (e.g., by increasing pressure), contamination of the beverage environment (e.g., by increasing temperature), or other characteristic of the cartridge, may be associated with a tag that can be transmitted to the reader of the beverage machine. The machine may display a status to the user and / or prevent the cartridge from being activated for use to produce a beverage.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cartridge may comprise a gas source, a beverage medium and a mixing chamber (also called first, second and third parts, respectively) that are separated from each other. As described above, the cartridge may include a mixing chamber, separated from the part that is used to store the medium of the drink before using the cartridge. The first part may contain a gas source emitting gas that dissolves in the original liquid during the preparation of the beverage, the second part may contain the beverage medium used when mixed with the original liquid of the beverage to obtain a beverage, and the third part may receive the beverage medium from the second part and a starting liquid to mix the starting liquid with the beverage medium. The initial liquid may enter the third part along with the medium of the drink and / or along a separate path. Thus, the cartridge may be able to mix the source liquid (for example, carbonated or non-carbonated) with the medium of the drink and to form a mixed drink (for example, for subsequent carbonation). This may eliminate the need to clean the mixing chamber, for example, since the cartridge may be disposable, and each beverage is produced using its own mixing chamber. In FIG. 12, 13, and 14 show a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 4 containing the first, second, and third parts, before it is configured to prepare a beverage, a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 4 after it is configured to prepare a beverage, and a perspective view in parts of the cartridge, respectively. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4 comprises a first part 46, which partially surrounds the second part 47 and the third part 62, for example, the first part 46 contains sections located around the second and third parts 47, 62 in at least one plane. In addition, the third part 62 partially surrounds the second part 47. However, this concentric arrangement of the first, second and third parts 46, 47, 62 is optional, and these parts can be arranged relative to each other by any applicable method. The upper end of the first, second and third parts 46, 47, 62 is hermetically closed by a cover 45, for example, a laminated foil, which is part of the cartridge capacity. (In one embodiment, the lid 45 may comprise two or more separate parts, such as a first part that closes the second part 47 after placing the beverage medium, and a second part that closes the first part 46 (and possibly also the second part 47) after placement gas source 41. Thus, the filling of the first and second parts 46, 47 during the manufacturing process can be facilitated.) As a result, the first part 46 can be isolated from the external environment, for example, in order to facilitate resistance to contact of the gas source 41 with moisture or other and substances. Due to the fact that the outlet 47b of the second part for the beverage medium is closed, for example, by a breakable or brittle membrane, a partition, etc., the second part 47 is likewise insulated from the external environment in order to facilitate the prevention of contamination of the beverage medium 42, if necessary. Although the upper region of the third part 62 is covered by a cover 45, the lower part of the third part 62 may be left open or may be closed by another element, such as a second cover or another cover.

In this embodiment, another feature of the invention is used, namely, the cartridge may comprise a movable part capable of moving and configuring the cartridge for preparing a beverage. For example, the movable part can be moved relative to the capacity of the cartridge to open the part for the gas source and / or the part for the beverage medium, for example, as shown in FIG. 13. In the illustrative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the movable portion 61 comprises a plurality of piercing elements 34, 35 for forming one or more holes in the cover 45, although other designs are possible. For example, the movable part 61 can be moved to open the valve and thereby open the inlet or outlet of the cartridge 4 to break off a tongue or other brittle element and thereby open the inlet or outlet, connect a pair of channels to one another, and the like . In this embodiment, the movable portion 61 comprises a piercing element 35 for forming an activator inlet 46a in the first portion 46, for example, allowing fluid (liquid water or water vapor) to be introduced to activate the gas source 41. The movable portion 61 may also include a piercing element 34 for forming a gas outlet 46b in the first portion 46, allowing the gas emitted by the gas source 41 to exit the cartridge 4, for example, to dissolve in the original liquid and form a beverage. One piercing element 34/35 can also serve to form an inlet 46a and an outlet 46b, for example, when the same hole in the cover 45 serves to inlet an activating fluid and to release gas. A piercing element 35 is also provided for forming the inlet opening 47a for the source liquid in the second part 47, allowing the introduction of the source liquid (optionally containing a substantial amount of dissolved gas) for mixing with the medium 42 of the drink and facilitate the movement of the medium 42 of the drink from the second part 47 to the third part 62 The starting liquid can also be introduced into the third part 62 using one or more piercing elements 35 for mixing with the medium 42 of the drink. Thus, according to one of the features of the invention, the cartridge 4 can be designed to supply part of the original liquid used to prepare the drink through the medium of the drink, and the rest of the original liquid is bypassed or otherwise into the mixing chamber of the cartridge. In one embodiment, about 10-40% of the starting liquid used to make the beverage can be introduced into the second part 47, and about 60-90% of the starting liquid can be introduced into the third part 62. Of course, other applicable quantitative ratios can be used. The source liquid may be introduced into the third part 62 to create a vortex motion, turbulence or other movement that helps to mix the source liquid and the medium of the drink. A portion of the starting liquid introduced into the second portion 47 may help wet the beverage medium 42, for example, when the beverage medium 42 is a powder material, which may aid mixing.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cartridge 4 may include a latch that prevents movement of the movable part, such as being able to move and configure the cartridge to receive a drink, while the latch may be released by the user. As shown in FIG. 12, the cartridge capacity or the movable part 61 may include a retaining ring 71, which prevents the movable part 61 from moving relative to the container, for example, to pierce the lid 45. The retaining ring 71 may be removed or otherwise unlocked by the user, for example, by pulling it on the tongue, as a result, the retaining ring 71 is separated from the container along the line of perforations or another line of least resistance. The latch may be made differently, for example, in the form of one or more tear-off protrusions or tongues, a removable plug or other structure. In another design, the latch may be removed or otherwise unlocked by the beverage machine, for example, after the cartridge 4 is installed in the machine and the door is closed.

According to another aspect of the invention used in the cartridge shown in FIG. 12, the gas source portion at least partially surrounds the beverage medium portion and / or the mixing chamber portion. This can help increase the volume of the part for the gas source without unnecessarily enlarging the cartridge, for example, so that the gas emitted by the gas source does not experience large pressure changes during storage in the part of the gas source that could occur in a smaller chamber. In other words, due to the somewhat larger volume of the chamber, the gas emitted by the gas source can be stored in it under softened pressure fluctuations. Thus, the part for the gas source can act as a kind of battery in which the gas released by the gas source is stored.

Although in this embodiment, the cartridge 4 comprises a movable portion 61 with piercing elements, the cartridge 4 does not necessarily comprise a movable portion 61 that moves and configures the cartridge to receive a beverage. Instead, the cartridge 4 may be designed without a movable portion 61, and the machine that uses the cartridge may contain a suitable set of puncture elements or other components designed to interact with the cartridge to communicate with the respective inlets and / or outlets of the cartridge.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cartridge may comprise an inlet for supplying an activating fluid to the bottom of the gas source portion. This design may provide improved control of gas release, for example, since the gas source may be exposed to the activating fluid from the bottom up. So, if the activating fluid is water, the bottom of the portion for the gas source may be flooded with water, activating the bottom layer of the gas source. However, higher layers of the gas source may remain unactivated, since the activating water does not rise above the bottom of the portion for the gas source. To activate the upper layers of the gas source, more water may be supplied to the gas source portion to raise the upper level of the activating fluid in the gas source portion. The flooding of the part for the gas source can continue at a controlled rate, and thereby the evolution of gas from the gas source is controlled. This design may help to avoid wetting the gas source from the upper surface of the source, for example, by spraying water on the upper surface of the zeolite. This spraying can lead to uncontrolled wetting and thereby to activation of the source and less regulated gas release by it.

In FIG. 15 and 16 show an image in parts and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an illustrative embodiment of a cartridge 4, which comprises an inlet for supplying an activating fluid to the bottom of the gas source portion. In this illustrative embodiment, the first part 46 contains a gas source 41 and an activator inlet 46a with a channel that extends from a region near the top of the first part 46 to a region near the bottom of the first part 46. For example, a beverage machine may pierce the lid 45, which hermetically seals the first portion 46 and the activator inlet 46a, and introduces water into the activator inlet 46a. Water can flow down the inlet channel 46a and enter the bottom of the first part 46, wetting the bottom layer of the gas source and causing the gas source to emit gas. Of course, other activating fluids such as citric acid, water vapor, etc. may be used. In addition, although in this embodiment, the activator inlet 46a comprises a channel formed integrally with the side wall of the container, the activator inlet 46a may be constructed differently, for example, as a channel extending from the bottom wall of the first part 46, a channel, passing down from the piercing element, etc. The evolved gas may exit through another opening in the first part 46 (such as a molded hole or a puncture hole) or may exit through the activator inlet 46a (for example, through small channels in the inlet 46a near the top of the channel, which allow gas to pass through but not allow liquid water, or through a siphon, such as a two-turn siphon, which does not allow the flow of liquid water).

Other methods of controlling the release of gas can be used in the cartridge, such as encapsulating the substance of the gas source 41 into a structure that breaks, dissolves, or otherwise breaks down, exposing the inside of the gas source to an activating fluid. For example, capsules containing a source of gas 41 can be used, which dissolve at different speeds and release the substance of the gas source for prolonged activation. Other designs are also possible, for example, in which the first part 46 comprises a plurality of steps or platforms on which the gas source 41 is located. As the first part 46 is flooded with water or another activator, the gas source 46 can be exposed one after the other at each stage, and thereby a gradual gas evolution is initiated.

According to another aspect of the invention used in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 and 16, a spiral, helical, zigzag or other tortuous channel for the flow of a beverage medium is proposed, which helps to mix the initial liquid flowing along the spiral channel with the beverage medium. For example, the cartridge 4 includes an inlet 47a for the source fluid, directing the source fluid to the outer region of the spiral channel (in this case, through the downward channel, which extends from the top of the first part 46 to the second part 47). The beverage medium 42 is located in the spiral channel, partially filling it in depth, and the initial liquid can flow over the beverage medium and / or through the beverage medium. As the source fluid flows through the spiral channel, the beverage medium may mix with the liquid to form a beverage. The spiral channel can be designed to create a laminar flow, for example, helping to reduce the loss of carbonated or other dissolved gases in the original liquid, if any. Alternatively, a spiral or other tortuous channel may be provided to create a turbulent flow, potentially helping to mix the starting liquid and the beverage medium. A mixture of the beverage medium and the starting liquid exiting the cartridge near the center of the spiral channel can enter directly into the user vessel or into the mixing chamber that is part of the cartridge or beverage machine. Channels of other shapes can be used in addition to the spiral shape, for example, a helical, zigzag and / or coiled channel can be provided to provide laminar or other flow characteristics. Thus, in the second part of the cartridge, which contains the medium of the drink, can be provided any suitable devices that help mix the original liquid with the medium of the drink.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 and 16, it is also provided that the outlet in the second part 47 may comprise a seal (for example, a cap) that can be broken off, punctured, removed or otherwise opened by the user and / or the beverage machine. Thus, the outlet does not have to open under pressure in the second part 47. In addition, in this embodiment, the first and second parts 46, 47 are formed as separate parts connected by a sleeve 75 that surrounds the parts 46, 47. The sleeve 75 also seals the side of the feed inlet 47a and / or the activator inlet 46a. However, it is understood that the first and second parts 46, 47 can be made as a single integral element without the need to use a sleeve 75.

According to another aspect of the invention, a portion of the beverage medium cartridge may comprise a wall capable of moving and displacing the beverage medium from the beverage medium portion. For example, the portion for the beverage medium may be limited by a barrier layer (e.g., a laminated foil) surrounding the beverage medium. Since the barrier layer can be flexible, the second part of the cartridge is squeezed, compressed, or a different force may be applied to it in order to reduce its volume and displace the beverage medium from it. For example, the barrier layer may form a bag of beverage medium that can be squeezed to displace the beverage medium, for example, into a user vessel, cartridge mixing chamber, or other place where the beverage medium is mixed with the starting liquid. In another illustrative embodiment, the second part may be of a syringe type construction, into which a plunger enters to displace the beverage medium from it. Other designs are possible, further discussed below.

In FIG. 17-20 show a perspective view, an image in parts, a cross-sectional view during gas discharge and a cross-sectional view during mixing of the beverage medium, illustrating an illustrative embodiment using a movable member to displace the beverage medium from the cartridge. In this embodiment, the cartridge capacity includes a planar support 72, on which the first part 46, which is located below the support 72, and the second part 47, which is located above the support 72, rest. The first part 46 is made in one piece with the support 72, for example, is molded in a single parts with a support 72, but can be made differently, for example, as a separate part attached to a support 72. The first part 46 is in the form of a hemisphere with an inlet 46a for the activator near the bottom of the first part 46 and a gas outlet 46b on the upper side fixed support 72. (As in all the described embodiments, the terms “top”, “bottom”, etc. are relative, are used for convenience of description and understanding, and should not be construed as limiting the design of the cartridge, its orientation in use, or other cartridge.) Thus, water or other activating fluid can be introduced near the bottom of the first part 46, for example, to regulably flood the first part 46, while the gas emitted by the gas source 41 exits through an opening in the support 72. Inlet 46a for the activator and the gas outlet 46b may be opened by the piercing element, by physical action to remove the tear-off tab, by removing the peelable foil, etc.

In this embodiment, the second part 47 comprises a blister formed by a layer of a barrier material, such as a laminated foil. The second part 47 may be of any shape or size, but in this embodiment has a generally disc-shaped shape with a domed upper surface. The lower part of the blister contains a layer of barrier material that covers a significant part of the upper surface of the support 72, for example, to tightly close the first part 46, and also form the bottom of the second part 47, but can be constructed differently. The blister blocks the spike 73 on the support 72, and if the blister is pressed against the support 72, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, the spike 73 may pierce the second portion 47, releasing the beverage medium. Accordingly, when moving the wall (for example, the upper part of the blister) of the second part 47, the beverage medium may exit the second part 47. The movement of the wall can be initiated by the plunger of the beverage machine, which presses on the second part 47 (as shown in Fig. 20), or in other ways. For example, the gas under pressure generated by the gas source 41 may be directed to a suitable area (such as the second part 47, a pneumatic flexible balloon or a plunger of the beverage machine) to displace the beverage medium from the second part 47.

According to another aspect of the invention, the beverage medium emerging from the second part 47 can be guided into the inlet 47a for the source liquid, for example, through which carbonated water is introduced into the cartridge. In this embodiment, the cartridge contains four feed inlet openings, although a different number of openings may be used. In addition, the upper surface of the support 72 around the spike 73 is designed to provide trajectories along which the medium of the drink is guided in the area near the inlet openings 47a for the source liquid. For example, in FIG. 21 is a plan view of a portion of a support 72 which is located beneath the second part 47. In this embodiment, the support 72 forms four paths for moving the beverage medium 42 from an area close to the spike 73 into each of the feed fluid inlets 47a. As a result, when the second part 47 is pierced by the spike 73 and the beverage medium is released, it can flow out into the inlets 47a. (The stream of beverage medium 42 may be a stream of both liquid and solid (eg, powder) beverage media.) Thus, faster and / or complete dissolution of the beverage medium can be provided, for example, since the beverage medium can be divided into relatively small portions the purpose of increasing its surface area and contact with the original liquid. It is understood that other devices may be used to direct the movement of the beverage medium into the feed inlet 47a. For example, four spikes 73 may be provided on the support 72, one spike 73 close to the corresponding inlet 47a. Thus, the second part 47 can be punctured in places adjacent to each inlet 47a, as a result of which the beverage medium is released from the second part 47 directly into the inlets 47a. In another embodiment, each of the spikes 73 may include a duct (e.g., a hollow piercing needle), the beverage medium 42 flows through the spike 73 to a desired location near the inlet 47a. Other configurations may be proposed by those skilled in the art.

One of the features of the structure shown in FIG. 21, it is possible to introduce the beverage medium into the feed liquid in a direction transverse to the flow of the feed liquid, which can help break the flow of the beverage medium into smaller particles and increase the dissolution rate. For example, a beverage medium 42 introduced into each of the inlet openings 47a may flow generally perpendicular to the flow of the original liquid entering the inlet openings 47a. Alternatively, the beverage medium may be directed coaxially into the feed fluid stream, for example, the central beverage fluid stream may be surrounded by a coaxial feed fluid stream. For example, in FIG. 22 illustrates one embodiment in which the support 72 comprises ducts for guiding the source liquid 2 to a plurality of places, wherein the beverage medium 42 is released from the second part 27, for example, by a plurality of spikes 73 on the support 72. Areas in which the starting liquid 2 is found and the beverage medium 42 may be configured so that the liquid 2 generally surrounds the beverage medium 42, for example, as a coaxial flow. The respective flow rates may be adjusted to help improve mixing or other characteristics of the beverage, such as pricing, entrainment of air bubbles, and the like. For example, a faster flow of the starting liquid 2 may help to stretch and thin the flow and the beverage medium 42 and thereby increase the surface area of the beverage medium affected by the liquid. The mixing chamber can be designed to enhance this effect, for example, by providing a gradually lengthening flow. In addition to potentially facilitating mixing, the coaxial streams of the starting liquid and the beverage medium can also help prevent the beverage medium (which may be relatively more viscous) from contacting the walls of the mixing chamber or other channel, which helps to reduce the likelihood of the beverage sticking to the walls. Essentially, a less viscous material (starting liquid) can be directed to the walls of the mixing chamber or other channel, and a more viscous material (beverage medium) can be kept away from the walls. Additionally or alternatively, a less viscous material may be introduced into the mixing chamber to wet the walls of the mixing chamber before introducing the beverage medium, for example, to help prevent the beverage medium from sticking to the chamber walls.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 17-20, a third part 62 is also provided, located below the second part 47 and the support 72. The source liquid introduced through the inlet 47a for the source liquid and the beverage medium 42 displaced from the second part 47 can enter the third part 62, for example , for complete mixing, foaming or other processing in order to obtain a drink. In this embodiment, the third part 62 has a funnel shape, for example, to initiate a vortex motion of the original liquid and the beverage medium and facilitate mixing, but can also be designed differently. For example, the third part 62 may include an eductor (for example, to entrain air bubbles, liquids or other materials into the beverage), a nozzle (for example, to increase the flow rate of the beverage medium and / or contact with ambient air), a flow straightener (for example, to provide yield of the beverage from the cartridge in a predictable and desirable way), etc. Like the first part 46, the third part 62 can be integral with the support 72 or can be made as a separate component and connected to the support 72. Of course, the third part 62 of the cartridge is optional, for example, when the machine for making drinks, which uses the cartridge 4, contains a mixing chamber or other element.

Although in FIG. 17-20 show a structure in which the first and second parts 46, 47 are offset relative to each other, other configurations are possible. For example, in FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge similar to the cartridge shown in FIG. 17-20, but from the first chamber 46 located immediately below the second part 47. In addition, the first part 46 may partially surround the third chamber 62, for example, to make the cartridge more compact. Thus, in the cartridge shown in FIG. 23, features of the invention may be used with regard to the second part 47 above the plane and the first part 46 below the plane, as well as the first part 46 partially surrounding the third part 62. Like the cartridge shown in FIG. 17-20, the cartridge shown in FIG. 23 may include a side wall that extends around the circumference of the cartridge 4, for example, to facilitate handling of the cartridge 4 for the user, to protect parts of the cartridge 4 from damage, and / or to ensure proper orientation of the cartridge 4 when installed in the beverage machine. The constructions illustrated in FIG. 17-23 may contain other physical features, such as features that help to ensure proper orientation and placement of the cartridge 4 when it is installed in the machine for making drinks. For example, the cartridge shown in FIG. 17-23 may include a vertical side wall that extends around the support 72, for example, forming a wall around other parts of the cartridge 4. This configuration may help protect cartridge components from damage (for example, from accidentally piercing the second part 47), facilitate handling of the cartridge (for example, to allow the cartridge to be placed on the table without rolling) and / or to properly orient the cartridge with respect to the beverage machine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the second part of the cartridge may comprise two or more or more compartments, each of which contains a corresponding volume of beverage medium 42. The cartridge may operate such that the controlled number of compartments delivers the appropriate amount of beverage medium, for example, to use different amounts of the beverage medium to prepare the beverage, to provide a gradual release of the various beverage media (for example, the flavoring medium of the beverage can be released to the foam medium so that the foam is on top the resulting beverage), ensuring separation of incompatible components (for example, components that do not mix with each other or stand up fall into an undesirable reaction to obtain a drink), etc. For example, the second part 47 in the illustrated in FIG. 23 of the embodiment may comprise two or more bags inside the second chamber 47, for example, separated from each other by a brittle impermeable membrane. Thus, the plunger of the beverage machine can compress the second portion 47 to an appropriate degree to initiate delivery of the beverage medium from the corresponding number of compartments. For example, compartments can be stacked and separated by appropriate membranes, like pie layers. As a result of the initial compression of the second part 47, the lowest compartment can be opened and its contents delivered. With further pressure by the plunger, the next compartment can be forced to open and its contents delivered, and so on. In this way, any number of compartments, optionally specified by the user or the machine itself, can be unlocked. Due to the separate compartments, not all of the beverage medium in the cartridge can be used when receiving the beverage, and leakage of the unused beverage medium when removing the cartridge from the beverage machine can be minimized.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first part of the cartridge can be moved relative to the second part to displace the beverage medium from the second part. For example, in FIG. 24-27 show an image in parts, a perspective view, a cross-sectional view of the beverage medium in the second part, and a cross-sectional view of the beverage medium displaced from the second cartridge part, respectively, wherein the first part can act as a plunger to displace the beverage medium from the second part of the cartridge. The first part 46 may be at least partially formed by the first chamber, for example, by a cup-shaped element, which is included in the second part 47. The second part may be at least partially formed by the wall of the second chamber wall, which forms a second space, for example, in which the medium a drink. The first chamber wall of the first part 46 can enter the second space and move relative to the second chamber wall, forcing the beverage medium out of the second cartridge part. For example, in FIG. 26 and 27 show how the first part 46 can move downward relative to the second part 47, as a result of which the first part further enters the second part and displaces the beverage medium from the second part. Essentially, the first part 46 can act as a plunger in the second space of the second part 47 and displace the beverage medium 42 into the outlet of the second part. The movement of the first part 46 relative to the second part 47 can be initiated in any way, for example, using a beverage machine containing an electric drive that moves the first part 46 by creating a gas pressure (for example, emitted by the gas source 41) in the cavity, which increases in volume causing the first part 46 to move by moving the second part 47 upward relative to the first part 46 (which may remain stationary relative to the machine) and so on. In addition, the cartridge 4 may include a latch that prevents the relative movement of the first and second parts 46, 47 until they are unlocked by the user and / or the beverage machine. The second part 47 may include a seal for the beverage medium outlet 47b, which opens in response to an increase in pressure in the second part 47, puncturing, mechanical rupture, etc. Thus, the outlet 47b of the second part 47 can be opened in any suitable manner so that the beverage medium 42 can exit the second part 47.

Another feature of the invention used in this embodiment is that part of the cartridge for the mixing chamber (third part) can partially surround the first and second parts 46, 47. Such a design can help make the cartridge 4 more compact, as well as provide more space, in which the original liquid and the medium of the drink can move, facilitating mixing. Furthermore, when combined with a structure in which the first part is included in the second part, the overall size of the cartridge can be reduced, especially after use. The third part can also be reusable, for example, the user can, if necessary, remove and clean the third part and replace the first and second parts in the preparation of each new drink. Thus, the amount of waste can be reduced, but the user has the opportunity to replace the third part used in the cartridge only as necessary. In this embodiment, the third part 62 is provided with blades, protrusions or other elements that help to cause the movement of the original liquid and medium of the drink, for example, to facilitate mixing. However, other designs are possible. (As with any of the features described, blades, protrusions, or other elements that help induce mixing can be used in the cartridge of any applicable configuration.) In addition, various designs of the third part 62 can be provided for different drinks. For example, for preparing strongly carbonated drinks from readily soluble media may be provided with a third portion causing a slight movement, for example, to help reduce carbonation losses due to turbulent fluid flow. However, in the case of other drinks, such as hot chocolate, the third part may enhance the turbulent flow to aid mixing, regardless of the loss of carbonation (since the drink is not carbonated). Thus, the machine for preparing drinks can be configured to prepare hot, cold, carbonated, non-carbonated and other drinks at least partially through the use of cartridges of various designs.

Due to the close proximity of the gas source 41 and the beverage medium 42 in the cartridge 4, the cartridge 4 may be able to control or use the heat generated by the gas source 41. For example, the heat generated by the release of gas by zeolite as a gas source can be absorbed by the beverage medium 42. In the case where the beverage medium 42 is a relatively viscous liquid at low temperatures, as a result of heating the beverage medium 42 with a gas source 41, the viscosity of the beverage medium can decrease and its dissolution in the starting liquid is enhanced. In addition or alternatively, by absorbing the heat of the gas source 41 by the medium 42 of the beverage or other part of the cartridge 4, it is possible to prevent or otherwise prevent the accumulation of excess heat in the cartridge 4. Thereby, the risk of thermal damage to the cartridge can be reduced and / or the efficiency of emission gas source 41 gas, for example, when high levels of heat can slow the release of gas.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cartridge may have a gas outlet and an outlet for the beverage medium on the same side of the cartridge container. In some embodiments, the cartridge may further have an inlet for an activator through which fluid is supplied to activate the gas source, and / or an inlet for the source liquid through which the source liquid is introduced into the container for mixing with the beverage medium, on the same side of the container as the gas outlet and the outlet for the beverage medium. Due to this design, a cartridge that is easy to handle and use can be provided. For example, due to the inlet openings (s) and the outlet openings (s) on the same side of the cartridge, the means for coupling the beverage machine of the cartridge can be simplified. For example, in some cases, the cartridge can be inserted in a simple way or installed in another way in the machine for making drinks, while the necessary connections are made in one local area on one side of the cartridge.

In FIG. 28-30, one embodiment of a cartridge is illustrated that includes a gas outlet, an outlet for a beverage medium, an inlet for an activator, and an inlet for a source liquid, in all cases located on one side of the container. Although such a cartridge may be constructed differently, in this embodiment, the first and second parts 46, 47 of the cartridge capacity are formed by a pair of layers of barrier material 79, for example, a laminated foil, which are connected to each other and form a pair of bags of the first and second parts 46, 47. Of course, the container can be constructed differently, for example, from a molded plastic case that defines the first and second parts 46, 47 of the mold shown in FIG. 28. The layers of barrier material 79 are connected to each other and form the first and second parts 46, 47, and are also connected to the liner 74, which at least partially limits the gas outlet 46b, the inlet 46a for the activator, the inlet 47a for the source liquids and beverage outlet 47b. In this embodiment, the insert 74 contains a pair of molded plastic parts that not only limit the inlet / outlet openings, but also enhance the adhesion of the barrier layers to the insert 74. For example, the interior of the insert 74 can be connected to the barrier material 79, allowing a source 4 to be supplied to the cartridge 4. 41 gas and beverage medium 42, and then the outer portion of the liner 47 (which may restrict the inlet / outlet ports for interfacing with the beverage machine) may be installed, covering the first The second and second parts 46, 47. However, other designs are possible, for example, a design in which the liner 74 is absent, and in order to form the inlet / outlet holes, layers of the barrier material 79 are punctured if necessary, or an integral liner 74 is provided. In an embodiment, the liner 74 covers the inlet / outlet with, for example, a foil lid, and must be punctured to open each of the inlet / outlet. Alternatively, one or more inlet / outlet openings may comprise a seal that can be opened by tearing the tab, peeling the foil lid off the inlet / outlet, exposing the inlet / outlet to an applicable threshold pressure to cause the seal to rupture or otherwise open, etc.

By arranging the first and second parts 46, 47 next to each other, as shown in FIG. 28-30, the surface area between the first and second parts 46, 47 can be reduced, and / or its moisture permeability can be reduced in order to reduce the migration of moisture from the beverage medium 42 in the second part 47 to the first part 46. In other words, if the beverage medium contains moisture (as in the case of some concentrated syrups), water can migrate from the beverage medium 42 to the first part 46, which may cause partial activation of the gas source 41 (if the gas source 41 is activated by water). This can be difficult when the wall or other element separating the beverage medium 42 from the gas source 41 is relatively permeable. However, due to the arrangement with each other, as shown in FIG. 28-30, adjustment of the width of the seal from the barrier layer between parts 46, 47 can be ensured, and thereby the permeability of the joint is controlled. To reduce moisture migration between the first and second parts 46, 47 (or other parts of the cartridge), other designs can be used, for example, by selecting materials relative to the first and second parts 46, 47 (for example, it is unlikely that moisture will move from the medium 42 drink into the gas source in the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 12, 17, for example, due to the physical separation of the parts), etc.

Another feature of the invention used in this embodiment is that the gas outlet 46b comprises a channel 46d that extends from the gas outlet through the gas source region of the first part (i.e., the region where the gas source 41 is located) and a filter 46c to the gas exhaust region of the first part. Although in this embodiment, the channel 46d is formed by the tube, the channel 46d can be formed by the barrier layers themselves, for example, by connecting the barrier layers in such a way as to form the channel 46d. According to another aspect of the invention and, as shown in FIG. 28-30, the barrier layers are connected in a specific structure and form a filter 46c, which helps to keep the substances of the gas source 41 in the region for the gas source of the first part and allows the gas to pass mainly through the filter 46c in the region for the release of gas of the first part, from where the gas can enter channel 46d and pass into a gas outlet 46b. Although the barrier layers 79 can be connected to each other in various ways to form a filter 46c, in this embodiment, the barrier layers are connected in circular (or other applicable) areas that are spaced apart from each other by an appropriate distance and have a configuration that helps to prevent passage the substance of the gas source 41 between the connected regions. However, other designs of the filter 46c are possible, for example, in the form of a piece of filter paper, a hydrophobic nonwoven material that allows gas to pass through but does not allow liquid to pass through, or another element that allows gas to move toward channel 46d but does not allow the movement of gas source materials and / or liquids. In addition, or as an alternative to filter 46c, channel 46d may include a filter element, such as a filter plug in channel 46d, further helping to counteract the release of gas source 41 from the gas outlet 46b. According to another aspect of the invention, the channel of the gas outlet 46b can extend from the bottom of the first part 46 to the top of the first part 46 without using a filter 46c. Instead, gravity can be used to prevent the substance of the gas source 41 from moving toward the top of the first part 46 and entering the channel 46d. Alternatively, a filter in channel 46d (such as the aforementioned plug) may be used to counteract the entry into the channel 46d of the substance of the gas source 41. Thus, the evolved gas can enter the far end of the channel at the upper end of the first part 46 and pass into the gas outlet 46b.

The manner in which the barrier layers 79 are connected to one another to form the first chamber 46, for example using a filter 46c, can help to hold the substance of the gas source 41 in the form of a fixed layer 41. In other words, the gas source 41 can be held relatively firmly so as not to allow it to move freely in the first part 46. This can contribute to controlled wetting of the gas source 41, since it is possible to determine the distribution of the gas source in the first part 46, and the interaction of the activating fluid with the source com is a predictable and repeatable. The gas source 41 can be designed to provide free movement of gas through a fixed layer of substances, for example, by choosing the size and shape of the particles of the substance of the gas source in order to prevent excessively dense packing. In another embodiment, instead of a cartridge exerting force on the gas source 41 to form a fixed bed of material, an external force may be applied to the first part 46 for this. For example, the above-described air-cavity design may be used to compress the gas source 41 in the first part 46 and thereby prevent the flow of the gas source 41 into the first part 46. In other cartridge embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, the first portion 46 may comprise a component, such as an elastic spongy material or a permeable membrane, which is placed on top of the gas source 41 and attached to the wall of the first part 46, helping to hold the gas source 41 in the form of a fixed layer.

Another feature of the invention used in this embodiment is that the source fluid inlet 47a may comprise a channel included in the second part 47 and for introducing the source liquid into the second part in a plurality of places along the channel. Such a structure, for example, illustrated in FIG. 30 may help better distribute the liquid in the second part and mix the starting liquid with the beverage medium, which exits the second part 47 through the beverage medium outlet 47b. Means may be provided to help prevent the medium 42 of the beverage from entering the channel and the perforations or other openings therein, for example, to help ensure a uniform and predictable flow of the original liquid into the second part 47. For example, the perforated channel may be protected by a brittle lid that separates it from the medium 42 of the drink to use, but breaks, dissolves or otherwise opens and passes the original liquid into the second part 47. In another embodiment, the channel may contain a plug , a filter or other component that helps prevent the medium from entering the channel and / or its perforation. Like the gas outlet channel, the source fluid inlet channel can be formed by barrier layers, for example, which can be connected and form a path extending along the length of the second part 47 with a plurality of outlets to help distribute the fluid in the second part 47. Such outlet openings may be closed prior to use of the cartridge, but may burst or otherwise be opened by introducing the source liquid into the second part 47. This design may also contain additional tion tool that allows you to compress the second flat portion 47 to displace the beverage environment. In yet another embodiment, the feed fluid inlet 47a may comprise a two-way valve, for example a flat, relatively flexible tube, which can be folded or folded in the second part prior to use of the cartridge. When the source fluid enters the inlet 47a, the two-way valve can expand / open, allowing the source fluid to flow into the second part 47. However, the folded / folded valve configuration prior to deployment can help prevent the medium from entering the beverage inlet 47a for the source fluid.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a means for compressing the second part 47 or otherwise manipulating it by means of an external force to displace the beverage medium from the beverage medium outlet 47b. This means can be used regardless of whether the source liquid is introduced into the second part 47. For example, the cartridge can be modified to exclude the inlet 47a for the source liquid, and instead the second part 47 may be compressed to displace the beverage medium 42 through the outlet 47b for a beverage medium, for example, for mixing with a source liquid outside the cartridge 4. Alternatively, the second part 47 may be compressed after introducing the source liquid into the second part 47, for example, to help remove remove liquid from the second part and reduce the swelling of drops from the cartridge removed from the beverage machine. In yet another design, the cartridge holder of the beverage machine may exert a force on the cartridge that compresses the second part 47 and displaces the beverage medium 42, but less than the pressure of the original liquid introduced into the second part 47. Thus, the second part 47 may increase in volume and accommodate the original liquid 2, but after the termination of the supply of the original liquid 2, the cartridge holder can compress the second part 47 to mainly empty its contents. The cartridge holder can exert a compressive force in any of a variety of ways, such as by using an air cavity to which the applicable air pressure is applied to compress the cartridge in the holder. The force generated by the air cavity or other component may vary during use of the cartridge, for example, to help mix and / or displace the medium of the beverage from the second part 47. For example, the pressure applied to the cavity may be relatively high at the beginning of the beverage preparation cycle. in order to displace the medium of the drink from the second part 47 and reduce the volume of the second part 47. After that, the pressure on the cavity can be relieved or reduced in another way to allow the introduction of the original liquid into the second a second part 47 and increase its volume. And in this case, the pressure on the cavity can be increased to displace the mixture of liquid and medium of the drink from the second part 47 and reduce the volume of the second part 47. This periodic change in pressure on the cavity can be repeated in order to improve mixing in the second part 47 and / or complete the displacement Wednesday 42 drinks. And in this case, the air cavity is not required to perform this function, and other devices, such as an electric wall, plunger, roller, etc. can be used. Briefly, an external force may be applied to the cartridge before, during, and after the introduction of the initial liquid to help mix, displace the beverage medium and / or reduce the swelling of the drops from the cartridge after use.

As mentioned above, the schematic diagrams of the system illustrated in FIG. 1-4, only a few of the possible designs of the beverage preparation system 1 are displayed. For example, in FIG. 31 shows another schematic representation of a beverage preparation system 1 in which cartridges of any of the constructions considered are alternative cartridge designs. In this embodiment, the container 11 is designed to deliver the source liquid 2 to the contactor 6 by gravity feed and / or under the influence of gas pressure. Of course, other designs are possible for moving fluid from the tank 11 to the contactor 6, for example, using a pump. In addition, although contactor 6 is shown in this illustrative embodiment and other embodiments discussed below, other devices for aerating or dissolving the gas, such as a carbonation tank, may be used instead. The system 1 shown in FIG. 31, can act as follows: valves V1 and V2 can be opened to ensure the delivery of liquid 2 to the first part 46 of the cartridge 4 by gravitational supply through the contactor 6. Liquid 2 can activate a gas source 41, which releases gas directed to the contactor 6. Part The gas introduced into the contactor 6 can dissolve in the liquid 2 located in the contactor 6, and the other part of the gas can be directed to the tank 11. The gas supplied to the tank 11 can increase the pressure in the tank 11, causing the liquid 2 to flow towards the contactor 6. Yes The appearance in the container 11 can help increase the overall degree of carbonation of the starting liquid, for example, by pre-carbonating the water, since the container 11 acts as a carbonation tank. The increased acidity of the liquid 2 in the tank 11 can also help reduce the accumulation of mineral deposits and / or the growth of bacteria in the tank. The pressure in the container 11 can be controlled by adjusting the amount of gas entering the container 11 using the valve V3. In addition, by means of valve V2, the amount of liquid 2 entering the first part 46 can be controlled, and thereby the activation of the gas source 41 is controlled. Valve V2 may serve to pass liquid 2 containing an appropriate amount of dissolved gas (e.g., carbonated liquid 2) into the second portion 47 of cartridge 4 for mixing with beverage medium 42. In this and other embodiments, if desired, another valve may be provided for discharging gas from the gas-dissolving device (e.g., contactor 6). An optional valve V4 may be provided opening to allow the resulting beverage to enter the prepared vessel or other vessel 8, and an optional valve opening may be provided to release the gas pressure on the gas side of the contactor 6. By supplying gas emitted to the container 11 a gas source 41, the system can be freed from the liquid, for example, by expelling the liquid from the tank 11, the contactor 6, and the second part 47 of the cartridge 4. and 4, when removed from system 1, and / or to help prevent fluid stagnation in system 1 between uses. The volume of liquid used to produce the beverage can be adjusted by the user, for example, by supplying the desired amount of liquid to the container 11, or by the system 1 itself, for example, by means of a level sensor that serves to fill the container 11 to an applicable level, a flow meter that determines the volume water delivered to the second part 47, etc.

In FIG. 32 shows another schematic representation of a beverage preparation system 1, which in this case can also be used with a cartridge of any applicable design. In this embodiment, the container 11 supplies the source liquid 2 to the contactor 6 under the control of the valve V4. The liquid 2 may be supplied to the contactor 6 by gravity, a pump, gas pressure, etc., although gravity is used in this embodiment. The supply of liquid to the gas source 41 for activation is regulated by a valve V1, which can regulate the flow based on any applicable characteristic, such as elapsed time, measured gas pressure, measured volume in cartridge 4, etc. Valve V4 can be opened by supplying the corresponding gas emitted by the gas source 41 and directed to the contactor 6, allowing now a carbonated liquid or other liquid containing dissolved gas to flow into the second part 47 of the cartridge 4 for mixing with the beverage medium 42. And in this case, the liquid is not necessarily sent to the second part 47, and instead can be directed to the part of the cartridge for the mixing chamber or another area where the beverage medium is mixed with liquid 2. Alternatively, the liquid 2 can flow directly into the vessel 8, where it mixes with the environment of the drink. The valve V3 can open, allowing the beverage to flow from the cartridge 4 into the vessel 8. At the appropriate time, for example, before, time, or after receipt of the beverage, the valve V5 can be opened, allowing ice 2a to be introduced into the vessel 8. Ice 2a may further serve to cool the source liquid 2 in the vessel 11 before it enters the vessel 8. In the vessel 11, a filter or other separator of ice and the source liquid 2 may be used, for example, to help reduce the bacterial contamination of the source liquid 2 with ice 2a. In other words, ice 2a can be stored in a container 11 in a compartment separated from the liquid 2, for example, by a permeable or impermeable barrier, and delivered to the vessel 8 after opening the valve V5. It should also be noted that any gas pressure in the contactor 6 can be relieved by a valve or other suitable device before, during or after the beverage is received.

In FIG. 33 shows another schematic representation of a beverage preparation system 1, which, as in other cases, can be used with any applicable number and / or combination of features or other features of the invention. In this embodiment, the volume of the original liquid 2 corresponding to several drinks may be contained in the container 11. Thus, in the system 1, it is possible to prepare a variety of drinks without the need for adding liquid to the container 11. The pump 13 and the valve V1 regulate the flow of liquid through the contactor 6 and into the second part 47 of the cartridge 4. The gas source 41 can be activated in any suitable way to release gas, which is directed to the gas side of the contactor 6 under the control of valve V2. For example, a gas source 41 may produce gas in response to exposure to microwave energy, thermal energy, other electromagnetic radiation, liquid water or water vapor, etc. The gas released by the gas source 41 can be dissolved in the liquid 2 located in the contactor 6, which can then be mixed with the beverage medium 42 in the cartridge 4 or elsewhere. The valve V3 can control the flow of the beverage from the system 1, for example, through a nozzle that can be contained in the cartridge and help further mix the liquid and the medium of the drink, direct the drink into the vessel 8, aerate the drink or form a foam in the drink, etc.

Although in FIG. 31-33, it is shown that all or predominantly all of the original liquid 2 used for the purpose of obtaining the beverage is sent through the cartridge 4, other designs are possible. For example, as described above, only part of the liquid 2 can be directed through the cartridge 4, for example, to displace the beverage medium 42 from the cartridge into the vessel 8 (or another mixing chamber), and the rest of the liquid 2 is sent directly to the vessel 8 (or another mixing chamber ) In addition, the system 1 can have a cooling circuit, for example, containing a thermoelectric device, a refrigeration device, a heat exchanger in which ice supplied by the user is used, or another device for cooling the initial liquid 2 before, during and / or after the gas is dissolved and / or before during and / or after mixing the medium of the drink with the original liquid.

In FIG. 34, another illustrative embodiment of a beverage preparation system 1 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the container 11 comprises three parts, i.e. a main portion 11a, a gas source activating portion 11b, and a premix portion 11c. The main part of the tank may initially be filled to the desired level, and the activating gas source part 11b and the pre-mixing part 11c may be empty. At the beginning of the beverage production cycle, a plunger 11d can be lowered into the main part 11a of the container, as a result of which the pre-mixing part 11b and the pre-mixing part 11c are poured into the activating gas source or a controlled amount of the initial liquid 2 is sent in another way. After this, as you move forward the plunger 11d in the main part 11a of the tank the plunger 11d can clog the main part 11a of the tank, preventing the additional quantities of liquid 2 from entering the activating gas source part 11b and the pre-part 11c Yelnia mixing. With further advancement of the plunger 11d (and opening of the valve V1), the liquid 2 can exit from the main part of the tank through the contactor 6. In addition, the liquid 2 can be displaced from the gas source activating part 11b through the (open) valve V2 into the first part 46 of the cartridge with the aim activation source 41 gas. The valve V2 can control the amount of fluid passing into the first part 46, for example, by controlling the amount and / or pressure of the gas produced, provided that as the plunger 11d moves with the valve V2 closed, the fluid can exit part 11b so as not to oppose its movement. The pressure of the gas emitted by the source, which enters the contactor 6, can be additionally or alternatively controlled by valve V4. Thus, on the gas side of the contactor 6, the desired gas pressure can be maintained. The liquid 2 from the premix portion 11c may also be forced into the second portion 47 of the cartridge 4 for mixing with the beverage medium 42. The mixing of the liquid and the medium can be supplemented by physical disturbance of substances in the second part 47, such as kneading (for example, a roller or other element), shaking, shaking, etc. This can help pre-mix the beverage medium 42 and increase the efficiency of further mixing with the additional starting liquid 2. With the valve V3 open, the pre-mixed beverage medium 42 can enter the mixing nozzle or other chamber (for example, which may be part of the third part 62 of the cartridge 4 or part machines for preparing drinks), while liquid 2 containing dissolved gas can also enter the mixing nozzle from the contactor 6. (It should be noted that in this and other embodiments, the valve V3 may be a valve that is included in the cartridge 4, such as a burst valve, a swing-head valve, a split partition, etc. Then, the mixed source liquid 2 and the beverage medium 42 may go into prepared vessel 8 or another container.)

In FIG. 35, another illustrative embodiment of a beverage preparation system 1 is illustrated, in which, as in the above embodiments, one or more features of the invention are used. In this illustrative embodiment, a pair of syringe pumps 13a, 13b are provided that cause the source liquid 2 to flow from one pump 13 through a contactor 6 to another pump 13 and vice versa. Thus, the system 1 can pass the initial liquid 2 through the contactor 6 one or more times, for example, in order to increase the amount of dissolved gas in the initial liquid 2 as desired. Of course, the system 1 can provide the multiple passage of the initial liquid 2 through the contactor or other dissolution device gas in other ways, for example, using a single pump that directs fluid from the tank 11 through the contactor 6 and back to the tank 11. However, in this embodiment, the syringe pump 12a is designed to n for the absorption of the source liquid 2 from the vessel 8 or another container through the valve V1. Thus, the user can place the vessel 8 in the system 1 containing the source liquid 2 of the desired volume or type, and the system 1 can use the source liquid 2 from the vessel 8 to obtain a beverage. A filter on valve V1 or elsewhere can help reduce the number of bacteria or other microorganisms that enter System 1, which helps reduce potential system contamination. In addition, the syringe pump 13 or other pumping device can be configured to suck in an appropriate volume of liquid 2 from the vessel 8, for example, by adjusting the stroke of the piston of the syringe, measuring the flow with a flow meter, determining the liquid level in the pump or other container, etc. .

When the feed liquid 2 is sucked into the first syringe pump 13a, the valve V1 can be closed and the valve V2 open, as a result of which the pump 13a can displace the liquid 2 into the contactor 6. (Although it is shown in FIG. 35 that there can be gas in the pump 13a, as well as liquid 2, sometimes there may be no gas in pump 13a.) At the same time, valve V2 (or another valve) may allow part of liquid 2 to flow into first part 46 of cartridge 4 to activate gas source 41. Thus, the liquid can dissolve the gas emitted by the gas source 41 as the liquid 2 passes through the contactor 6. The valve V3 can be designed to pass the liquid 2 from the contactor 6 into the second syringe pump 13b for temporary storage therein. Given the desired amount of fluid transferred from the first syringe pump 13a to the second syringe pump 13b through the contactor 6, the flow can be reversed by the second syringe pump 13b to cause flow through the contactor 6 to the first syringe pump 13a. This alternation can be repeated the desired number of times, for example, based on the reading of the aeration sensor, in order to achieve the desired degree of aeration of liquid 2. After completion of aeration or other gas dissolution, valve V3 can pass liquid 2 into the second part 47 of the cartridge, for example, for mixing with medium 42 of the beverage and transferring the beverage (through open valve V4) to the vessel 8. A system similar to that shown in FIG. 33 may allow the user to set the degree of saturation of the beverage with carbon dioxide or dissolution of another gas therein, and may dissolve the gas in the source liquid 2 to a predetermined degree before or after mixing the beverage medium with the source liquid 2.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cartridge can be designed to control the flow of activating fluid into the cartridge in order to activate a gas source. As described above, one possibility is to control the flow of activating fluid into the cartridge using a beverage machine. However, the cartridge itself can also help regulate the activation of the gas source. Such a design can allow the cartridge itself to determine the degree of carbon dioxide saturation or dissolution of another gas, which allows different cartridges to determine different degrees of gas dissolution without changing the system. For example, in FIG. 36 schematically shows a first portion 46 of the cartridge 4, which comprises a flow regulator 76 in the form of a valve (such as a pressure regulator or pressure-actuated valve). An activating fluid (e.g., water) may be supplied to the activator inlet 46a at a predetermined pressure. When the pressure in the first part 46 is reasonably low, the flow regulator 76 may open, allowing water to flow into the first part 46, which leads to the activation of the gas source 41. However, as soon as the pressure in the first part 46 reaches a threshold level, the flow regulator 76 can close, stopping the flow of water in the first part 46. This termination of the flow usually leads to a decrease in pressure in the first part 46, since the gas is directed to a contactor or other solvent the gas is either discharged, and when the pressure drops again to an acceptable level, the flow regulator 76 may open again. In this embodiment, it is shown that the flow regulator 76 contains a spring that causes the valve flap to close, while the spring force is set to provide control of the applicable gas pressure in the first part 46. However, other designs are possible, such as those used in control valve pressure, a design in which, under the action of high pressure in the first part 46, the cartridge part increases in volume, narrowing (and thereby blocking) the path from the inlet 46a for the activator a, etc. In FIG. 37 and 38, another illustrative embodiment is illustrated in which the cartridge 4 comprises a flow regulator 76 similar to that shown in FIG. 36. However, in this embodiment, the flow regulator 76 (in particular, a vertical strut acting as a spring element) interacts with a part of the beverage machine. So, when in this embodiment, the cartridge 4 is suitably installed in the beverage machine, the flow regulator 76 may be actuated to regulate the activating fluid flow into the cartridge. Other designs similar to those shown in FIG. 37 and 38, including structures in which the beverage machine controls the opening and closing of the flow controller 76 into the cartridge 4. For example, the structure shown in FIG. 37 and 38 may be modified so that the beverage machine moves the rack and / or other part of the flow regulator 76 (such as a valve shutter) to cause the flow regulator 76 to open and close. In such an embodiment, a flow regulator of other structures, such as a diaphragm valve, a flap valve, a plunger valve, etc., which can be manipulated and controlled by the beverage machine, can be used.

In FIG. 39-42, another illustrative embodiment of a structure for controlling an activating fluid flow into a cartridge is illustrated. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4 has a structure similar to that shown in FIG. 38-30. In FIG. 39 and 40 show the orientation of the cartridge installed in the beverage machine. A needle or other channel for inlet of the activating fluid enters the inlet for the activator 46 in the cartridge and remains stationary during the production of the beverage. In addition, a portion of the cartridge 4 near the upper end is fixed relative to the activating fluid inlet needle. When the pressure in the cartridge 4 is relatively low, the distal end of the needle is positioned relative to the inlet for the activator 46 in the cartridge 4 so that the activating fluid is delivered to the cartridge 4. However, when the pressure in the cartridge increases, the cartridge increases in volume, separating activator inlet 46a from the needle. As a result of this movement, the flow of activating fluid stops and does not resume until the pressure in the cartridge drops and the cartridge occupies the orientation shown in FIG. 39. In FIG. 41 and 42 show one construction of a fluid inlet needle and an activator inlet 46a in this embodiment. The needle has an opening on the side, and when it enters the cartridge 4, the path for the flow of activating fluid opens. However, when the needle is removed from the activator inlet 46a, the path is blocked, stopping the flow of activating fluid. Other designs for opening and closing the path for the activating fluid flow depending on the movement of the cartridge, such as a valve in the inlet 46a for the activator, which opens and closes depending on the movement of the cartridge or pressure changes, etc. are possible.

In FIG. 43 and 44 show another design for controlling the regulation of an activating fluid. In this embodiment, the cartridge also has a design similar to that shown in FIG. 28-30. When the activating fluid is supplied to the cartridge and the gas source is activated (as shown in FIG. 43), the cartridge generates gas causing pressure buildup and cartridge 4 to increase in size (as shown in FIG. 44). An increase in the size of at least one part of the cartridge may actuate a switch or other sensor 51, which causes the system controller 5 to stop the flow of activating fluid into the cartridge 4. When the pressure decreases, the cartridge may decrease in size and the switch or other sensor 51 is turned off , allowing the flow of activating fluid to resume, if appropriate.

In FIG. 45 illustrates yet another embodiment of a structure similar to that shown in FIG. 28-30. However, in this embodiment, the gas outlet channel 46d and the source liquid inlet channel 47a are in both cases formed by respective fusion lines connecting the layers of the barrier material 79. In other words, the gas outlet channels and the source liquid inlet leading to the first and second parts 46, 47, respectively, are formed only by barrier layers 79 and do not contain a tube or other structure. As a result, the flow of activating fluid and / or source fluid into the cartridge can be controlled by narrowing the cartridge 4 to close one or both of the inlets 46a, 47a. It is understood that the release of gas and / or beverage medium from the cartridge can be similarly controlled. Flow control can be based on any applicable criteria, such as measured gas pressure, elapsed time, detected movement of the cartridge or parts of the cartridge (for example, as a result of increased pressure in the cartridge), etc.

In FIG. 46, another illustrative embodiment of controlling the flow of an activating fluid into a cartridge is illustrated. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4 is constructed as shown in FIG. 23, and its first part 4 has a flexible wall or other element. As a result, when the pressure in the first part 46 reaches or exceeds a threshold level, the flexible wall may bend outward. The movement of the cartridge by the wall or other element can be detected by the beverage preparation system 1, for example, by a switch or other sensor 51. In response, the controller 5 can stop the flow of activating fluid into the cartridge 4 until the pressure decreases in the first part 46 and the movable part of the cartridge retracts otherwise, do not move, which indicates a corresponding pressure drop. Although in this embodiment, the movable part serving as a pressure indicator in the first part comprises a flexible wall, other configurations are possible, such as a movable piston or plunger, etc.

In FIG. 47 and 48, another embodiment of the control of an activating fluid in a cartridge is illustrated. In this embodiment, the cartridge comprises a flow regulator 76 in the form of a valve, which can be closed by constricting the valve actuator 81 of the beverage preparation system 1. In this embodiment, the pressure in the cartridge may be detected by a sensor 51, which measures the pressure on the line leading from the first part 46. If the pressure is reasonably high, system 1 may cause the valve actuator 81 to move to narrow the valve of the flow regulator 76 and close it. At pressures of a threshold level or lower, valve actuator 81 may allow the valve to open. Although in this embodiment, the valve of the flow regulator 76 is a relatively simple structure in which part of the cartridge 4 can move and overlap the path (for example, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 45), other designs such as valves with movable shutters are possible , plungers or other structures that may be actuated by a valve actuator. For example, the flow regulator 76 may comprise a diaphragm valve, the impermeable membrane of which can be moved toward and away from the opening to regulate the flow in the first part 46.

In FIG. 49 and 50, one embodiment is illustrated in which the cartridge 4 can control the flow of activating fluid entering it independently of a beverage machine, for example, as shown in FIG. 36. In this embodiment, the cartridge includes a flow regulator 76 with a valve that can open and close under pressure in the first part 46. Thus, the flow regulator 76 may include a valve such as a pressure regulator that autonomously regulates the pressure in the first part 46, supporting it in the desired interval. As shown in FIG. 49, since the pressure in the first part is in the desired range and below it, the valve is open and passes the flow of activating fluid into the first part 46. As shown in FIG. 50, since the pressure in the first part 46 exceeded the desired interval, the pressure on the right side of the valve (which is fluidly connected to the first part 46) causes the valve to move to the left, stopping the flow of activating fluid. In some embodiments, the pressure in the first part, controlled by the flow regulator 76, may vary depending on the pressure of the incoming activating fluid. In other words, the flow regulator 76 can be designed so that the pressure of the activating fluid affects the operation of the valve, for example, in one case, so that the pressure in the first part 46 exceeds the pressure of the incoming activating fluid, allowing the valve of the flow regulator to close and stop the flow . This design may allow the use of different cartridges in system 1 under different gas pressures in the first part 46, for example, by adjusting the pressure of the incoming activating fluid. However, in other embodiments, the flow regulator 76 may operate independently of the pressure of the activating fluid, and pressure fluctuations of the activating fluid do not affect the regulated pressure in the first part 46. Such a design may be useful, for example, when a pump the supply of activating water has a variable pressure, and / or it is desirable that the pressure regulation in the cartridge is influenced by environmental pressure, as in the case when during operation of system 1 in conditions of sea level Higher gas pressure is required, and higher altitude operation requires lower pressure. Possible valve configurations of the flow regulator 76 are generally known in the art and are not described in detail in the invention. In addition, the flow controller 76 may operate in on-off mode (on / off) or may provide variable flow rates.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cartridge may comprise a filter in the first and / or second parts separating the inlet of the outlet of the first and / or second parts. For example, a filter may be located in the first part of the cartridge to help counteract the release of gas source substances from the first part. The filter may be placed in the second part of the cartridge to help prevent clogging of the outlet with relatively large, undissolved particles, to help prevent bacterial contamination of the drink (for example, when the starting liquid contains microorganisms that can be filtered out of the starting liquid before being used in the drink) and / or help the distribution of the original liquid in the second part (for example, to facilitate dissolution).

In FIG. 51 shows a cartridge whose construction is similar to that shown in FIG. 45, but in this embodiment includes a filter 46c in the first part and a filter 77 in the second part 47. Although in this embodiment, the filter 46c and 77 are formed by one filter element that covers the first and second parts 46, 47, other designs are possible, such as separate filter elements for each part. Filter 46c may restrict the entry of gas source substances into the gas outlet 46b, and filter 77 may help reduce bacterial contamination of the beverage and beverage environment and / or help distribute the flow of the original liquid over a larger surface area of the beverage environment. In FIG. 52-54, another illustrative construction of the filter used in the cartridge, such as that shown in FIG. 51. In this embodiment, a layer of perforated or other suitable permeable material is interposed between the layers of the barrier material 79, whereby the activator inlet 46a is separated by the permeable material (which forms a filter 46c in the first part 46) from the gas outlet 46b, and the inlet the source liquid opening 47a is separated by a permeable material (which forms a filter 77 in the second part 47) from the beverage medium outlet 47b. This is just one of several possible embodiments of filters 46c and 77, which can be formed in other ways. In FIG. 53 and 54 show how filters 46c and 77 separate the inlet and outlet openings in the respective first and second parts 46, 47. In FIG. Figure 53 shows how the filter 77 provides a space in which the source liquid can enter the second part 47, pass through the filter 77 and evenly wet the beverage medium 42. In FIG. 54 it can be seen how the filter 46c provides a relatively large surface area of the evolved gas to pass through the filter 46c into the gas outlet 46b.

In FIG. 55 is a perspective view illustrating how integral permeable material can form filters 46c and 77 in a cartridge, such as those shown in FIG. 52-54. It can be seen that the permeable material is able to follow a zigzag path relative to the inlet openings 46a, 47a and the outlet openings 46b, 47b in the first and second parts 46, 47. To hold the permeable material in the position shown in FIG. 55, the permeable material may be connected to the liner 74 and / or the barrier material 79 so as not to block the inlet / outlet openings.

As described above, the cartridge may be configured to allow a user to interact with it to determine one or more characteristics of the beverage being prepared. For example, the user can interact with the cartridge to determine the degree of carbonation, the sweetness of the drink, the amount of beverage medium to be used in preparing the beverage, and the like. In FIG. 56 and 57 show a cartridge whose construction is similar to that shown in FIG. 45, but includes a clamp 78 capable of gripping the cartridge 4 to limit the amount of beverage medium 42 that can be used to make a beverage. Clamp 78 can be moved relative to the cartridge, providing a continuously adjustable amount of beverage medium that can be used. A similar device can be used to determine the degree of gasification, for example, by determining the portion of the gas source exposed to the activating fluid. Of course, the clip 78 is just one example of how a user can interact with a cartridge to determine the characteristics of a beverage. For example, a cartridge may contain one or more tear-off tabs, adjustable sliders, holes, or other elements that may be removed or closed, etc. and can be adjusted by the user. The system controller 5 can recognize the adjusted element and accordingly control the system 1. Alternatively, the adjusted cartridge element itself can directly control the operation of the system. For example, a torn tab of a cartridge may actuate a switch that blocks the delivery of activating fluid to the cartridge, thereby forcing the machine to make a non-effervescent (or non-carbonated) beverage.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cartridge may comprise a beverage outlet that exits the cartridge, for example, in the direction or reaches a vessel or other vessel of a user. Such a protruding discharge channel can help pour the beverage into the vessel without spraying it, reduce the loss of carbon dioxide or other dissolved gases, and / or reduce the contact of the beverage with the beverage machine. In one illustrative embodiment, the cartridge may comprise a two-way valve, which has two flat elongated membranes sealed in length from opposite edges. The two-channel valve can be folded or folded, and under the action of the pressure of the folds or contacts in the folded position, the valve closes if necessary. In one embodiment, a film of relatively light material may be used, for example, helping to provide an appropriate seal when the valve is folded or folded. When pressure is applied to the inner end of a two-channel valve, it can expand / open and become elongated. When the two-channel valve switches to the metering configuration, any seal formed by the valve in the folded state can be opened and a beverage can flow through the valve. The valve can be designed to provide a smooth flow of the beverage through the narrowing channel, which potentially reduces the risk of turbulence and loss of gas before dosing. In other embodiments, the cartridge may comprise a stiffer outlet that exits the cartridge and delivers the beverage in the direction of the user's vessel. For example, when the pressure in the cartridge rises, a pull-out tube may come out of it. If desired, additional mixing may be provided on the beverage discharge path, for example, due to the shape of the connections of the two-channel valve, making the path winding or containing obstacles to enhance mixing. In addition, since the two-way valve may become flat after delivery of the drink, for example, due to the elasticity of the material from which it is made, causing the valve to fold, there may be no drink in the outlet or a small amount of drink remaining at least as compared to the cylindrical channel lengths. As a result, leakage from the cartridge after use can be reduced, and thereby pollution can be reduced.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cartridge (for example, a part for a mixing chamber) may comprise a mixer or other movable part that interacts with the beverage medium and / or the source liquid, thereby enhancing the mixing of the beverage. For example, a moving part, such as a vibrator, a rotating blade or other element, can be triggered by interacting with the flow of the beverage medium or the original liquid. According to another embodiment, the movable part is driven by an external device, such as a gearless shaft of an electric motor connected to a beverage machine, a magnetic coupling that allows for contactless movement of the mixer or other moving part, a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator that allows the fluid to move into the cartridge for driving into the action of the mixer, etc.

In FIG. 58-60, the cartridge 4 is shown assembled, side and top according to another illustrative embodiment using one or more features of the invention. As shown in FIG. 58, in this embodiment, the cartridge 4 comprises a container with a first part 46 and a second part 47, which can be designed so that the covers 45a, 45b of the parts 46, 47 are adjacent to each other. For example, the first part 46 can be designed so that a part of the cover 45a is recessed under the upper edge of the rim 462 of the first accommodating element 461 of the first part 46. The rim 472 of the second enclosing element 471 of the second part 47 can be inserted into and into the recess engagement with rim 462 to connect the first and second parts 46, 47 to each other. For example, the rim 462 may include a groove in which the rim 472 enters, as a result of which the first and second parts 46, 47 are detachably connected to each other by interference fit, for example, so that the user can manually disconnect the first and second parts 46 without tools 47. Alternatively, the first and second parts 46, 47 may be connected to each other in the assembled position shown in FIG. 58, with glue, a wrapping film, a strip that shrinks the material at the junction of the first and second parts 46, 47, a piece of tape that runs from the first part 46 to the second part 47, etc.

Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, the first and second parts 46, 47 can be designed so that the cartridge has a plane under which the first part 46 is located and above which the second part 47 is located. In this case, the plane of the cartridge can be parallel to the part of the cover 45a , 45b, which limits it, or may be parallel to the flat portion of the portion of the lid 45a or 45b. The first and second parts 46, 47 can be used in the machine for preparing drinks in assembled form or can be moved relative to each other, for example, separately from each other when used in a machine for preparing drinks. As described above, the first and second parts 46, 47 may have different orientations for interacting with the beverage machine, for example, being next to each other, as shown in FIG. 59. In this embodiment, the first and second parts 46, 47 are not connected, but the first and second parts 46, 47 may be connected by a halyard or other structure, for example, such as shown in FIG. 6-8. Such a connection may help orient parts 46, 47 in an appropriate manner to interact with the beverage preparation system.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second parts 46, 47 are separated by an impermeable barrier, for example, a lid 45a or a lid 45b, which in this embodiment are impermeable in both cases (although this is not necessary). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 60, a lid for receiving and / or discharging gas or other fluids may be provided in the covers 45a, 45b of the first and second parts 46, 47. For example, the cap 45a may have an inlet region 451 designed to be pierced by a piercing element (e.g., a needle, paddle, etc.) to inlet activating water, water vapor, or other fluid into the first portion 46 to cause the gas source 41 to release dioxide carbon or other gas. The cap 45a may also have an outlet region 452 designed to pierce to release gas or other fluid from the first portion 46. However, as mentioned above, the cap 45a may be punctured in the same fluid inlet and outlet, or may not be pierced at all, for example, when the cover 45a contains a predetermined inlet / outlet opening, or other areas of the first enclosing member 461 are pierced from below, from the side, a wall or elsewhere.

The lid 45b may have an inlet region 451 designed for piercing for inlet of activating water, gas or other fluid and mixing with the beverage medium 42 or for displacing the medium 42 from the second part 47, for example, through a punctured hole at the bottom of the second part 47 and mixing with the original liquid in the user's vessel, mixing chamber, etc. The second portion 47 may also include a filter component 48b that helps to prevent the medium 42 of the beverage from coming into contact with the piercing element that punctures the lid 45b. The filter component 48b may comprise a hydrophobic membrane, a piece of filter paper, or other applicable component and may be attached to the lid 45b or other part of the second housing element 471. By preventing the beverage medium 42 from coming into contact with the piercing element, unwanted contamination of the piercing element can be reduced or eliminated. Alternatively or additionally, the piercing element (used to pierce the inlet and / or outlet in the first or second part 46, 47) can be removed from the beverage machine (for example, for cleaning or replacement in the machine). Another possibility is to make the second part 47 in such a way that it is compressed, wrinkled or has a movable wall (such as a lid 45b or an enclosing side wall element 471) to displace the beverage medium 42 from the second part 47, for example, through a breakable or brittle outlet or punctured hole. For example, cap 45b may press from top to bottom, as shown in FIG. 59, whereby the beverage medium 42 is expelled from the second part 47, for example, through an opening at the bottom of the second part 47. Such pressure can be provided by a plunger or piston of the beverage machine, which presses down on the lid 45b, crushing the second part 47 and expelling Wednesday of the drink.

The lid 45a (or lid 45b) may have a tear tab (for example, as shown in FIG. 60) to assist the user in removing the lid 45a for disposal or other purposes. For example, the user may wish to remove the cover 45a from the first enclosing member 461 in order to remove the gas source 41 after use. The gas source 41 may be housed in a permeable bag or other container, such as a plastic mesh bag, a filter paper bag, etc. This bag can help prevent the particles of the gas source 41 of the first part 46 from escaping and / or facilitate the extraction and removal / disposal of the substances of the gas source 41 in the first part 46. The bag can also help orient or set the position of the gas source 41 in the first part 46, for example, hold a gas source 41 away from the lid 45a (to avoid contact with the piercing element), place a gas source 41 for the optimal or desired inlet of the activating liquid (for example, place the gas source 41 in layers or compartments for and biratelnogo wetting), etc.

In FIG. 61 and 62, another illustrative embodiment of a cartridge 4 is illustrated using one or more of the features of the invention. In this illustrative embodiment, similarly to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 58, the first and second parts 46, 47 may be placed on opposite sides of a plane, such as a plane parallel to and passing through or between the covers 45a, 45b of the first and second parts 46, 47. As noted above, the terms “above” and “below” are used for convenience, and since the cartridge 4 may be inverted relative to the position shown in FIG. 61, in this case it can be said that the second part 47 is “above” the plane, and the first part 46 is “below” the plane. The first and second parts 46, 47 can be connected to each other by parts of the covers 45a, 45b, the connector 45 with or another element. Thus, the first and second parts 46, 47 can move relative to each other from the position shown in FIG. 61 to a position as shown in FIG. 62, for example, for introduction into the machine for preparing drinks and interacting with it. The connector 45c or another part of the lid 45 (or cartridge 4) may be provided with an identifier, such as a bar code, RFID tag or other device that can be read by the beverage preparation system and used to control the operation of the system, for example, to control the degree of aeration, the volume of the drink etc. As in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 58-60, the first portion 46 may have a cap 45a pierced in one or more to inlet an activating fluid and / or release gas for carbonation or other purposes. Of course, the first part 46 can serve to activate the gas source 41 and release the gas by any suitable method described in the invention, such as the inlet of the activating fluid and / or the release of gas through the region of the first part 46 opposite the cover 45a (for example, the bottom of the first part 46 with the orientation illustrated in Fig. 62). As in other embodiments, the first portion 46 may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials, such as a capsule of a metal (eg, aluminum) foil.

Similarly, the second part 47 can be constructed in a variety of different ways, but in this embodiment, in such a way that the wall 47a of the second part 47 can move, as a result of which the beverage medium 42 is forced out of the second part 47. For example, the wall 47 may comprise a corrugated sheet material (such as a sheet of aluminum foil with many steps in the form of concentric round rings), which can be squeezed from below (as shown by arrows 200 in FIG. 61), as a result of which wall 47a is flattened towards yshki 45b (cover 45b and the upper wall of the rim 47a appropriately held, for example, a chamber for the beverage preparation machine). Moving the wall 47a can cause an increase in pressure, for example, in the second part 47, as a result of which the breakable seal opens and releases the beverage medium 42 in the direction of arrow 202. Of course, instead of using a breakable or brittle seal to form an opening for the outlet of the beverage medium 42 wall 47a may be punctured. In another illustrative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 63, the second portion 47 may comprise an internal piercing element 203 for piercing the wall 47a and forming an outlet for the beverage medium 42. For example, the piercing element 203 can be designed such that, under the force exerted on the cover 45a in the direction of arrow 204, the piercing element 203 can move down and pierce the wall 47a. In this case, the cap 45a is optionally punctured. In one design in which the lid 45a is punctured, gas, a source liquid or other fluid may be introduced into the second portion 47 to expel the beverage medium 42 from the opening in the wall 47a. It is understood that the internal piercing element may be used in the other described embodiments, such as those illustrated in FIG. 58-60 options for implementation, and can be used in the first part 46 of the cartridge 4.

Wall 47a may be designed such that when pressed in the direction of arrows 200 in FIG. 61, the radially outer parts of the wall 47a can be flattened first, and then the radially inner parts of the wall 47a in the direction of the center of the wall 47a. This can help displace the beverage medium 42 radially inward and outward of their outlet. In other embodiments, wall 47a may be constructed without corrugations or otherwise without regard to how wall 47a collapses. Instead, the wall 47a can simply move toward the lid 45b, and the beverage medium 42 can be ejected from the second part 47 without regulating the flow in the second part 47. When moving the wall 47a close to the lid 45b, most or all of the medium 42 can be ejected from the second part 47 a drink.

In FIG. 64 illustrates another illustrative embodiment in which the second part 47 of the cartridge 4 is made in the form of a bag with an end corner connection, for example, of sheet aluminum foil or other metal or plastic. Such bags are well known in the field of food packaging, and in this embodiment, it is shown that the corner connection region of the second part 47 is facing up. An outlet nozzle 47b is located on the side (bottom) side of the bag opposite the inserts, which may contain a burstable wall or other outlet device that opens when the second part 47 is compressed, or another pressure increase occurs in the compartment in which the beverage medium 42 is placed. In one embodiment, the second part 47 may be compressed by the pressure of air or other gas that is introduced into a closed chamber in which the second part 47 is placed. An air pump, a source of compressed gas, the gas generated by the first part 46, or other device may provide the gas pressure in the closed compartment, and this pressure is externally applied to the second part 47. Thus, the second part 47 may have a wall, for example, an area of the bag forming the second part 47, which moves and causes the medium of the beverage to exit the second chamber portion 47. Exterior, into which a pressure may be, for example, the nozzle 47b, and the beverage medium 42, expelled from the nozzle 47b may flow into the mixing chamber, a vessel, etc. Users The nozzle 47b may contain spray holes or other elements to help form small droplets or streams of the beverage medium 42, for example, to facilitate mixing.

According to one aspect of the invention, at least the region of the first part 46 may be included in the corner joint of the second part 47. For example, the corner joint may be in the form of a partially ellipsoidal cavity, into which the first part 46 may come in, which may have a complementary shape. In one embodiment, the first part 46 may be wholly included in the corner joint and form the surface or base of the cartridge 4, whereby the cartridge may be vertically placed on a flat surface, resting on the first part 46. For example, when the first part 46 enters the corner cavity of the second part 47, the cover 45 of the first part 46 can provide a flat surface on top of the cartridge 4, and the cartridge 4 can be turned over and placed on the table, resting on the first part 46. However, this is not necessary, and the first part 4 6 may protrude from the corner cavity of the second part 47, for example, forming a domed upper surface. When the first part 46 is at least partially included in the angular cavity, the rim 462 of the first part 46 is pressed by compression or otherwise attached to the rim 472 of the second part 47 to connect the first and second parts 46, 47 to each other. As in others In embodiments, the first portion 46 may comprise inlet and / or outlet areas 451, 452 designed for piercing for inlet and / or outlet flows.

As mentioned above, the second portion 47 may contract or flatten and release the beverage medium 42. At this time, the first part 46 may be affected by a compressive force, such as air pressure, moving opposite sides of the chamber towards each other, between which the second part 47, etc., or the first part 46 may be at least partially isolated from the compressive efforts. For example, a rim 462 of the first part 46 may be clamped in the cartridge receiver of the beverage machine, whereby a sealed chamber located under the rim 462 may form around the second part 47. This design can help reduce or eliminate the compressive force exerted on the first part 46.

In FIG. 65 shows another illustrative embodiment of a cartridge. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4 comprises a cylindrical container, the first part 46 of which is located on one side (in the upper region) of the container, and the second part 47 is located on the opposite side (lower region). The first and second parts 46, 47 may be separated by a wall, for example, which provides an airtight space for accommodating the beverage medium 42. The first part 46 may be punctured with the aim of introducing into it an activating liquid and / or exhaust gas from it, or may be constructed otherwise, as described above. However, in this embodiment, the second part 47 is initially designed to store gas under pressure in an airtight space with the beverage medium 42, and when the exhaust valve 47b opens (for example, when the valve part moves relative to the second part 47), the compressed gas expands and causes the beverage medium 42 to pass through the valve 47b and exit the second part 47. Thus, in the beverage preparation machine using the cartridge 4, it is not necessary to introduce gas, liquid or other fluid into the second part 47 smell environment to displace beverage medium 42. Instead, when the valve 47b opens, which can be automatically provided by the machine or by the user, dispensing of the beverage medium 42 takes place. In one alternative embodiment, the compressed gas may enter the second part 47 from the first part 46, for example, the wall separating the first and second parts 46, 47 may be permeable, with at least the first part 46 being under appropriate pressure, and the gas generated by the gas source 41 can flow into the second part 47 and thereby create excess pressure in the second part 47 to dispense the beverage medium 42. Alternatively, the compressed gas may be introduced into the second part 47 by a beverage preparation machine, for example by means of a piercing needle, a hole or other mechanism.

Example 1

To determine the release properties of the carbon dioxide adsorbent, 8 × 12 sodium zeolite pellets of size 8 × 12 were used (such as those available on the market by UOP MOLSIV Adsorbents). The granules were placed in a ceramic vessel and burned in a Ceramco Vulcan D550 furnace. The temperature in the furnace with granules was increased to 550 ° C at a rate of 3 ° C / min and maintained for 5 hours in order to burn and obtain granules for saturation with carbon dioxide.

Pellets were removed from the furnace and immediately transferred to a metal container equipped with a tight-fitting lid and inlet and outlet openings for gas circulation. Filled a container with granules of gaseous carbon dioxide and created an overpressure of 15 psi. inch. (However, it should be noted that the experiments were carried out at a pressure of 5-32 psi.) The pressure in the chamber was maintained for 1 hour. During this time, the chamber was purged every 15 minutes. After this time, the granules adsorbed a certain amount of gas.

Used 30 grams of sample saturated with carbon dioxide zeolite 13X and a laboratory vessel filled with 250 ml of water at room temperature 22 ° C. Place the laboratory vessel and water on the scales that have been reset. Then 30 grams of carbon dioxide-saturated zeolite was added to a laboratory vessel, and the weight was determined over time. It was found that the weight change became approximately stable after 50 seconds, and the granules lost about 4.2 g (14%) of weight due to the release of carbon dioxide. Of course, part of the carbon dioxide could dissolve in water.

Example 2

Received carbon dioxide-saturated zeolite 13X according to Example 1. Then 30 grams of a sample of carbon dioxide-saturated zeolite was placed in a metal chamber with a water inlet at the bottom and a gas outlet at the top. The chamber with zeolite particles had a cross-sectional size of 34 × 34 mm and contained two metal disk filters with 64 openings with a diameter of 1/16 inch to trap zeolite particles. Then, tap water was poured onto the bottom of the chamber perpendicular to the cross section with an average flow rate of 60 ml / min. The evolved gas exited through the upper outlet.

The gas pressure in the chamber was measured using a manometer, and it was regulated using a needle valve at the gas outlet. By manually adjusting the needle valve, a chamber pressure of 35 psi was maintained. inch during the period of exposure of water in the chamber to a zeolite saturated with carbon dioxide. After the working pressure was set in the valve, in a similar way, samples of a carbon dioxide-saturated zeolite were repeatedly used in the system.

Example 3

Received carbon dioxide-saturated zeolite 13X according to Example 1. Then 30 grams of carbon dioxide-saturated zeolite was placed in a 50 ml semi-rigid laminated polystyrene-polyethylene-EVOH cartridge, which was heat-sealed with a foil lid. The sealed zeolite cartridge was then placed in a sealed metal chamber and pierced from above and below.

Poured into the bottom of the cartridge tap water, the flow of which was regulated by a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve was actuated by a pressure switch connected to the upper gas outlet in the cartridge chamber. During three different tests, three different operating pressures of 5, 22, and 35 psi were set in the pressure switch. inch. Then, the gas produced at the set pressures was introduced through an opening into the out-of-pipe space of the hydrophobic membrane contactor (1 × 5.5 minimum module manufactured by Liquicel, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA). Clogged another hole in the annulus to prevent gas escape. Water was circulated from a container containing 400 ml of water and approximately 50 g of ice through a contactor and back to a container (for example, as shown in Fig. 2) using a Ulka vibration pump (Milan, Italy) of the EAX 5 type through the tube space of the membrane contactor . The same pressure was maintained in the vessel and contactor as during gas evolution. Gas was released and water circulated into the systems for approximately 60 seconds.

Then, the degree of aeration of the obtained sparkling water was determined using a CarboQC device manufactured by Anton-Paar, Ashland, pc. Virginia, USA The results are shown in the table below:

Thus, it was demonstrated that gas was released from zeolites in cartridges at a controlled rate (depending on the delivery of water to the cartridge chamber) and then dissolved in water, forming a carbonated drink. In addition, these data illustrate the idea that, by controlling the pressure in the system, the degree of aeration of the finished beverage can be controlled. It is estimated that at higher pressures in the system, for example, about 40-50 psi. an inch above ambient pressure, in about 60 seconds or less, a carbonated beverage with a degree of aeration of 4 volumes (liquid volume of about 500 ml) can be obtained.

It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art can easily make various changes, modifications, and improvements to the various described features of at least one embodiment of the present invention. It is intended that such changes, modifications, and improvements be part of the present invention and fall within its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the above description and drawings are given only as an example.

Claims (15)

1. A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage, comprising a container having first and second parts connected to each other and separated by an impenetrable barrier, in the first part there is a gas source generating gas for dissolution in the original beverage liquid, in the second part contains the medium of the drink for mixing with the original liquid and obtain a drink, and the second part has a wall capable of moving and causing the medium of the drink to leave the second part for mixing with the original liquid . 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the first part has an inlet through which fluid enters to activate the gas source, and an outlet through which the gas exits the first part for dissolution in the source liquid. 3. The cartridge according to claim 2, in which the inlet and outlet are located on top of the first part. 4. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the second part has an outlet through which the medium of the beverage exits the container for mixing with the original liquid. 5. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the wall at least partially forms the first part of the cartridge. 6. The cartridge according to claim 5, in which the first part is at least partially formed by the wall of the first chamber, and the second part is at least partially formed by the wall of the second chamber, which forms the second space, while the wall of the first chamber enters the second space and is able to move relative to the wall of the second chamber to displace the medium of the drink from the second part of the cartridge. 7. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the wall contains a layer of barrier material. 8. The cartridge according to claim 7, in which the second part is formed by a capsule from a layer of barrier material. 9. The cartridge according to claim 8, in which the layer of barrier material can be opened and allow the medium of the beverage to exit the second part by applying force to the barrier material. 10. The cartridge according to claim 9, containing a piercing element, which opens the second part when a force is applied to the barrier material. 11. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the first part is formed by a capsule from a layer of barrier material. 12. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the gas source is a zeolite saturated with carbon dioxide. 13. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the first and second parts are isolated from the external environment, while the first part contains a carbon dioxide source in the form of a solid material capable of emitting carbon dioxide gas for use in mixing with the original liquid of the beverage in order to obtain a beverage . 14. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the first part is isolated from the external environment, and the pressure in the first part until the seal of the first part breaks is less than 100 psi. inch. 15. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the gas source is capable of generating gas suitable for producing a carbonated beverage with a volume of 100-1000 ml and with a degree of aeration of about 1-5.

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