WO2020232067A1

WO2020232067A1 - Beverage dispensing apparatus and methods for preparing beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2020232067A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/032593
Authority: WO
Inventors: Angus RITTENBURG
Original assignee: Polebridge, Llc
Priority date: 2019-05-13
Filing date: 2020-05-13
Publication date: 2020-11-19

Abstract

A means for adding flavoring, effervescence and/or ingredients that are not water-soluble into a liquid is disclosed. A means for adding flavoring, effervescent and/or ingredients that are not completely soluble into a water containing liquid such as a liquid containing alcohol and water (including distilled spirits such as whiskey, rum, gin and vodka as well as ready to drink mixtures thereof), is also disclosed. A means for generating a flavored and/or effervescent beverage with non-water-soluble ingredients using a refillable or replaceable cartridge and a refillable or replaceable container, is also disclosed.

Description

BEVERAGE DISPENSING APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PREPARING

BEVERAGES

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of application no 62/847,023, filed on may 13, 2019. The disclosure of application no. 62/847,023 is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] The subject matter of the instant invention is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/847,019, filed May 13, 2019, and entitled “A CARTRIDGE AND HOUSING FOR DISPENSING BOTANICALS AND METHODS FOR THEIR MANUFACTURE”; the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is directed to the field of apparatus and methods for preparing and dispensing beverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Pre-mixed and canned or bottled beverages must have ingredients that will not separate over time. Ingredients for beverages that are not miscible with water must be converted into emulsions that will not coalesce during the shelf life of the product. A common method for making these emulsions requires ultrasonic mixing of the non- miscible ingredient, surfactant, and water.

[0005] This pre-mixed beverage arrangement has several shortcomings. For example, sonication of ingredients is an added process that can increase the cost of manufacturing. The surfactants used to make such emulsions stable often bring their own flavors that are not desirable and must be masked with product flavoring. The masking flavors cost additional money and require additional steps during processing. In some cases, the masking flavors make it impossible to achieve a desired flavor profile. In addition, the relative quantities of ingredients are at the discretion of the manufacturer, not the customer.

[0006] One apparatus for preparing effervescent liquids (and, in particular, effervescent beverages), subject a liquid to a pressurized gas, such as carbon dioxide, a portion of which pressurized gas dissolves in the liquid. Upon dispensing the liquid from the dispenser into an environment having a lower pressure and/or a higher temperature, the pressurized gas begins escaping from the liquid in the form of bubbles. This is known as effervescence. Such dispensers typically have a container containing liquid and the container receives pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source.

[0007] This conventional apparatus for preparing effervescent liquids have several shortcomings. For example, flavor must be added after generating effervescence to prevent excessive foaming. In addition, users must have multiple items to make a beverage: an apparatus, a bottle, a pressurized gas tank, liquid to carbonate, and flavoring. For many, this is overly complicated and there are often one or more items missing.

[0008] There is a need in the art for a beverage preparation apparatus and methods that does not suffer from these shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The instant invention solves problems associated with conventional apparatus and methods by providing an apparatus that can combine the contents of a pressurized gas cartridge with a liquid. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus for mixing a fluidizable material with a liquid, the apparatus comprising a pressurized cartridge having a housing that contains material to be fluidized and introduced into the liquid; wherein the cartridge and the housing are positioned to force the contents from the housing into the liquid.

[0010] One embodiment of the invention relates to the foregoing embodiment wherein the fluidizable material comprises an extract.

[0011] One embodiment of the invention relates to any combination of the foregoing embodiments wherein the housing defines an orifice that controls the flow of the extract into the liquid.

[0012] One embodiment of the invention relates to any combination of the foregoing embodiments wherein the apparatus further comprises an adapter for receiving the housing.

[0013] One embodiment of the invention relates to any combination of the foregoing embodiments and further comprising an adapter that connects and provides fluid communication between the cartridge, housing and liquid.

[0014] One embodiment of the invention relates to any combination of the foregoing embodiments and further comprising at least one means that adjusts the flow of extract into the liquid.

[0015] One embodiment of the invention relates to any combination of the foregoing embodiments wherein the pressurized cartridge comprises at least one of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

[0016] Another embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a liquid comprising a pressurized cartridge having a housing that contains a material to be fluidized and introduced into the liquid; wherein the cartridge and the housing are positioned to force the contents from the housing into the liquid within a bottle wherein the housing controls the flow from the pressurized cartridge through the housing to create the fluidized material and to force the fluidized material downwardly within the liquid thereby causing fluidized material released from the housing to flow upwardly through the liquid in the bottle and in turn dispense the liquid from the bottle.

[0017] One embodiment of the invention relates to any combination of the foregoing embodiments wherein the cartridge and housing are removably connected to the bottle.

[0018] One embodiment of the invention relates to any combination of the foregoing embodiments and further comprising an adapter that connects and provides fluid communication between the cartridge, housing and bottle. [0019] One embodiment of the invention relates to any combination of the foregoing embodiments and wherein the fluidized material comprises at least one extract. Examples of extract comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of THC, CBD, caffeine and nicotine.

[0020] One embodiment of the invention relates to any combination of the foregoing embodiments and further comprising at least one means that adjusts the flow of extract into the liquid.

[0021] One embodiment of the invention relates to any combination of the foregoing embodiments wherein the pressurized material comprises at least one of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

[0022] A further embodiment of the invention relates to a method for dispensing a beverage using any combination of the foregoing apparatus.

[0023] One embodiment of the invention relates to the foregoing method wherein the fluidized material is mixed with the liquid before dispensing the beverage.

[0024] The various embodiments of the invention can be used alone or in combinations with each other.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of various embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, certain principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a front perspective of the gas cartridge with flavor and extract inside.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a front perspective of the exemplary dispenser apparatus.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross section of the dispenser FIG. 2.

[0029] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial cross-section of the dispenser of FIG. 3. [0030] FIG. 5 is a further enlarged partial cross-section of the dispenser of FIG. 3.

[0031] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] This invention provides a means for adding flavoring, effervescence and/or ingredients that are not water-soluble into a liquid. The invention also provides a means for adding flavoring, effervescent and/or ingredients that are not completely soluble into a water containing liquid such as a liquid containing alcohol and water (including distilled spirits such as whiskey, rum, gin and vodka as well as ready to drink mixtures thereof). One novel aspect of the invention is that it provides a means for generating a flavored and/or effervescent beverage with non-water-soluble ingredients using a refillable or replaceable cartridge and a refillable or replaceable container. Unlike existing apparatus, the entire device is portable and can be refilled anywhere. The device includes a vessel, a dispensing system, a liquid to be prepared, and a cartridge containing liquified gas, flavor, and other ingredients (which can be soluble and non-water-soluble). The cartridge can be made to comply with the filling requirements of 49 CFR 173.304 (2016) as well as the shipment requirements of 49 CFR 173.301 (2002); hereby incorporated by reference.

[0033] Plant extracts are one example of non-water-soluble ingredients that are often mixed into beverages. Extracts will be referred to throughout this disclosure. It is to be understood that extract can include, without limitation, any botanical or other plant based ingredient that is to be mixed into a liquid. Examples of extract comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of THC, CBD, caffeine and nicotine.

[0034] This invention also provides a means for mixing the contents of the cartridge with the beverage. The flavors and extracts stored in the gas cartridge can be injected into the beverage by puncturing the cartridges, causing the pressurized gas to rapidly expand and pass through the liquid in the form of many small bubbles. The turbulent nature of the expansion and flow is favorable for mixing. In this way, a user can simply fill the bottle with water and add flavor and extract by inserting a cartridge. While any suitable cartridge can employed, one example of a suitable cartridge is disclosed in the previously identified and related patent application entitled“A CARTRIDGE AND HOUSING FOR DISPENSING BOTANICALS AND METHODS FOR THEIR MANUFACTURE”.

[0035] The invention further provides a means for increasing the safety of existing effervescent liquid preparation apparatus by placing the pressurized gas cartridge inside the bottle. This ensures that only one cartridge can be used to charge the bottle. The cartridge cannot be removed or replaced without first relieving all pressure in the bottle.

[0036] The invention further provides a method for adding flavor and extracts to a beverage and a method for dispensing all liquid in the bottle without creating effervescence. This can be achieved by using a gas that does not dissolve in the liquid. While any suitable gas can be employed, in one example, nitrogen could be used for water-based beverage. Once the cartridge is punctured and the gas enters the bottle, the beverage can be dispensed through the dispensing apparatus. The liquid will not be made as effervescent because the gas is not as soluble in the liquid. In this case, the gas is useful for pushing the flavor and extracts into the beverages in a turbulent manner favorable for homogeneous mixing. The gas also adds pressure which forces the liquid out of the bottle.

[0037] The invention further provides a method for emptying a gas cartridge with any phase of gas as well as flavor and extracts into a liquid. As one example, the gas cartridge could be filled with a combination of liquified CO2, fruit flavor, and CBD oil extracts and emptied into a water solution to create a fruit flavored CBD beverage. In a particular application, 0.06 grams of hemp extract could be put in a cartridge containing 7 grams of liquid CO2. The cartridge could be used to add hemp extract to 1 liter of beverage liquid using the inventive apparatus. The inventive apparatus could then be used to dispense a hemp infused beverage. In another embodiment, the gas cartridge could be filled with a combination of liquified CO2, fruit flavor, and caffeine extracts and emptied into a water solution to create a fruit flavored caffeinated beverage. In another embodiment, the gas cartridge could be filled with a combination of liquified CO2, fruit flavor, and nicotine extracts and emptied into a water solution to create a fruit flavored nicotine-containing beverage.

[0038] The invention further provides a means for masking unfavorable flavors using gasses that change the nature of the liquid. As one example, Nitrogen is known to change the“mouthfeel” of beverages in a way that can change the way that flavors are perceived.

[0039] The invention also provides a means for putting an inventive dispenser and cartridge into existing bottles by way of either a direct connection or an adapter or a coupler including via snap-fit and threaded connections (e.g., the dispenser is removably connected to the existing bottle and can be reused with another bottle). As just one example, an inventive dispenser and cartridge could be used to add flavor and extracts to liquid by installing it on a common 2L soda bottle. The dispenser could have a standard bottle threads such as PCO1810 or PC01881 ; hereby incorporated by reference.

[0040] Referring now to Figure 1 , Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein a cartridge (1 ) contains a liquified gas (2) and flavors and extracts (3). The flavors and extracts (3) are made to be mixed and preserved in the liquified gas (2).

[0041] Referring now to Figure 2, Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein a dispenser (5) is removably affixed to a bottle (4). It is to be understood that the connection method can be a screw, snap, or any other attachment. It is also to be understood that instead of being connected to the bottle (4), the dispenser (5) could be used on any bottle type by way of either a matching thread, or adapter mechanism.

[0042] Referring now to Figure 3, Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein a gas cartridge (1 ) can be fitted into a housing (6) that is then inserted into a bottle (4). When the dispenser (5) is affixed to the bottle (4), the gas cartridge (1 ) is punctured by an orifice (12). A seal (13) is made between the orifice (12) and cartridge (1 ) before the cartridge is punctured such that the contents of the cartridge can only flow through the orifice. Once the orifice (12) is punctured, the mixture of gas (2) and flavors and extracts (3) are forced out of the cartridge (1 ). The geometry of the housing (6) is such that the contents of the cartridge can only enter the bottle at the bottom of the housing. In this way, the expanded gas must flow up through the liquid in the bottle (14). The orifice (12) is to be sized such that any non-miscible flavors and extracts are converted into nano-droplets that are stable in solution. The housing (6) may also contain a spiraled internal structure that encourages mixing when the product is dispensed. It is to be understood that any internal structure that creates a torturous path could be used to encourage further mixing. A mechanism can be added between cartridge (1 ) and orifice (12) which can provide an adjustable means for controlling the total amount or rate in which the contents of the cartridge are added to the beverage.

[0043] Referring now to Figure 4, Figure 4 illustrates the dispensing and pressure relief mechanism. The housing (6) has a liquid flow path from the inside of the bottle (4) to the sealed entrance to the dispenser (1 1 ). The valve body (10) is forced downward against the dispensing seal (1 1 ) by a spring (8). When the pressure inside the bottle becomes higher than desired, the body (10) moves upwards creating a flow path from inside the bottle (4) to the outside environment. In this way, excess pressure is bled off. The liquid (14) can be dispensed from the bottle by pressing the tap (15) which rotates about a shaft (16) causing the valve body (10) to lift and compress the spring (8). Liquid is then free to flow through seal (1 1 ) and out the spout. Seal (7) prevents the liquid from flowing out of the top of the dispenser.

[0044] It is to be understood that the invention includes any such pressure relief mechanism. An alternate embodiment could have a pressure relief mechanism that is in fluid contact with the gas in the top of the bottle instead of the liquid. In that way, gas will be vented, and liquid will not come out of the bottle.

[0045] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

The following is claimed:

1. An apparatus for mixing a fluidizable material with a liquid, the apparatus comprising a pressurized cartridge having a housing that contains material to be fluidized and introduced into the liquid; wherein the cartridge and the housing are positioned to force the contents from the housing into the liquid.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the fluidizable material comprises an extract.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein the housing defines an orifice that controls the flow of the extract into the liquid.

4. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein the apparatus further comprises an adapter for receiving the housing.

5. The apparatus of Claim 4 further comprising an adapter that connects and provides fluid communication between the cartridge, housing and liquid.

6. The apparatus of Claim 2 further comprising at least one means that adjusts the flow of extract into the liquid.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the pressurized cartridge comprises at least one of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

8. An apparatus for dispensing a liquid comprising a pressurized cartridge having a housing that contains a material to be fluidized and introduced into the liquid; wherein the cartridge and the housing are positioned to force the contents from the housing into the liquid within a bottle wherein the housing controls the flow from the pressurized cartridge through the housing to create the fluidized material and to force the fluidized material downwardly within the liquid thereby causing fluidized material released from the housing to flow upwardly through the liquid in the bottle and in turn dispense the liquid from the bottle.

9. The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein the cartridge and housing are removably connected to the bottle.

10. The apparatus of Claim 9 further comprising an adapter that connects and provides fluid communication between the cartridge, housing and bottle.

11. The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein the fluidized material comprises at least one extract.

12. The apparatus of Claim 11 further comprising at least one means that adjusts the flow of extract into the liquid.

13. The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein the pressurized material comprises at least one of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

14. The apparatus of Claim 9 wherein the cartridge and the housing are positioned within the bottle and below a dispenser wherein liquid is released from the bottle through the dispenser.

15. A method for dispensing a beverage using the apparatus of any of Claim 1 -14.

16. The method of Claim 15 wherein the fluidized material is mixed with the liquid before dispensing the beverage.