Patent Abstract:
The embodiment relates to beverage dispensing, and more particularly to the dispensing of a carbonated beverage, from any container into a vessel, providing a portion of the beverage as foam atop the dispensed beverage. To avoid the reduction of absorbed carbon dioxide in a carbonated beverage, increased atmospheric pressure is employed to move the beverage from the container through the apparatus and into the vessel. An oscillating means provides a sonic wave through the conduit and the liquid therein; the sonic wave initiates the reaction between the carbon dioxide and the ingredients in the beverage to cause the liquid to foam prior to dispensing into the vessel. Iterations include an adaptable apparatus for a beer tap and a means for passing the liquid to be dispensed through a permeable container filled with soluble material or a permeable container filled with a filtration means.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application No. 62/177,346. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates in general to beverage dispensing, and more particularly to the dispensing of a carbonated beverage from any container into a glass, providing a portion of the beverage as foam atop of the dispensed beverage. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Although any carbonated beverage may produce a foam layer on top of its poured contents, the foam layer on a poured serving of beer is of particular interest to many consumers. The foam layer, referred to as a head, atop a vessel of beer is produced by bubbles of gas, commonly carbon dioxide, that rise to the surface. The compounds that produce the head comprise proteins, yeast and starches in the form of grain residue in the beer. The interaction between the carbon dioxide the proteins and starches in the liquid determine the physical properties of the foam. Carbon dioxide may be produced during fermentation or if the beer is pasteurized it may be carbonated by injecting pressurized gas after pasteurization. Of particular interest to consumers is the density and longevity of the head. As with many reactions, agitation can increase the rate of reaction. Although it is common to produce a head on top of a glass of beer, similarly, foam may also be produced from carbonated soft drinks, carbonated juices or non-alcoholic malt beverages. 
         [0004]    It is commonly considered that a greater-than-desired volume of head on the beverage detracts from the mass of the drink, while some head is considered essential to the beverage. The head gives off an aroma of the beer/beverage, and adds to the experience of enjoying the beverage. The production of the head reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the remainder of the beverage. 
         [0005]    While many methods exist for providing a stable, dense head on beer dispensed from casks or pressurized bulk containers, it has long been understood that there are problems associated with attempting to achieve the same effect on beer dispensed from bottles, cans or common single-serve containers. There is a need for a means and apparatus to produce a fine, dense head on a dispensed beer from a variety of disparate containers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus and method, in general, for dispensing a liquid, including a carbonated beverage such as beer; and in particular, for dispensing a portion of the beverage without altering the concentration of pressurized gas in the beverage; and further, for dispensing a portion of the beverage in the form of a fine, dense head of foam. One skilled in the art will understand that a variety of liquids may be dispensed in a foamed state, and that while it may be desirable to dispense a portion of the liquid in a non-foamed state and a portion of the liquid in a foamed state, in other applications it may be desirable to dispense the entirety of the contents in a foamed state or the entirety of the contents in a non-foamed state. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a base for supporting a container such as a glass or mug or the like. Engaged with the base is a body providing a chamber, closed on all but one side, suitable for housing a beverage container such as a can, bottle, jug or the like. An upper housing is engaged with the body, in a manner wherein a fluid-tight seal may be obtained between the body and the upper housing at the open end of the body. 
         [0008]    A fluid path, or conduit, extends from the interior of the body into the upper housing and terminates at a spout that is proximal to the top of the glass to be filled with the dispensed liquid. The liquid in the beverage container is moved through the conduit by increasing the air pressure in the body, thus moving the liquid by the property of displacement. In the region proximal to the spout an oscillation means produces a sonic wave through the conduit and hence through the liquid being dispensed. The oscillation&#39;s agitation of the liquid increases the reaction that produces foam or head. Small rapid oscillations tend to produce a fine, dense foam. 
         [0009]    One skilled in the art will understand that the end result achieved by a control circuit employed to send an electrical current to a solenoid valve may also be achieved by a manually operated valve and subsequent substitutions of mechanical operators to an electronic system. In other words, although the same means may be achieved by a mechanical apparatus, the following embodiment is described as having an electronic controller. 
         [0010]    Other objects and features will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the disclosed beverage dispenser and associated methods, reference is made to the accompanying figures, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting the arrangement of components of an example embodiment 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting the arrangement of components of an example embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing of an iteration of the embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a partial section, perspective drawing of an iteration of the embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective drawing of an iteration of the embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a partial section, side view of the iteration of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a diagram depicting the arrangement of components of an example embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    As discussed in greater detail below, an apparatus and method providing dispensed liquid and dispensed, foamed liquid is described. In general, a beverage container is placed in the body with the conduit inserted into the liquid that is in the container. With the upper housing closed and creating a fluid-tight, or in this case, an air-tight seal, over the open side of the body, the control lever may be moved in the first direction wherein the pump increases the air pressure inside the body. The increased air pressure in the body moves the beverage by the property of displacement, through the conduit and into the container. When the lever is moved to a second position the high frequency oscillation means produces a sonic wave through the conduit and hence through the liquid being dispensed. The high frequency produces a fine, dense foam that floats on top of the dispensed beverage. The lever may subsequently be moved to a third position wherein the control circuit opens a valve so as to dispel the relatively higher pressure air in the interior of the body, thus returning the pressure to that of the ambient pressure. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example embodiment  100  comprises a base  110  engaged with a body  112  that is further engaged by way of a gasket  114  with an upper housing  116 . One skilled in the art will understand that there are a number of methods for securing the upper housing with the body such as methods including threaded or clamping closure methods. 
         [0021]    The body  112  is a hollow chamber closed on all but one side. The open side is engaged with a gasket  114  which is further engaged with the upper housing. A conduit  118  extends from the proximal end in the interior of the body  112  where it is intended to be inserted into the liquid  124  to be dispensed, through the upper housing where the distal end forms a spout  119 . The upper housing  116  contains a control lever  125 , a power source  121 , a pump  120 , a valve  115 , a high frequency oscillation means, otherwise referred to as an oscillator  122 , and a control circuit  123 . The control circuit  123  directs power to the aforementioned components to achieve the following described method. 
         [0022]    A beverage container  130  is inserted into the body  112  and the conduit  118  is inserted into the beverage  124 . The upper housing  116  is closed over the body  112  and sealed against the gasket  114 . The operation means or lever  125 , is moved to the position relative to the dispensing of the liquid. The control circuit  122  turns the valve  115  to allow air from the pump  120  into the interior of the body  112 . The control circuit  122  then turns on the pump  120  that transfers air into the interior of the body  112 . As the air pressure increases inside the body  112 , the liquid in the beverage container  124  is moved through the conduit  118  by the property of displacement, and out the spout  119 , into the glass  126 . When the user chooses to create a foamed liquid, the lever  125  is moved to the position relative to the foaming of the liquid. The control circuit  123  turns on the oscillator  122  that produces an oscillatory wave through the conduit  118  and hence through the carbonated liquid, thus causing it to foam. The oscillatory wave agitates the liquid, increasing the reaction between the carbon dioxide and the proteins and starches in the liquid producing foam  132  that floats on top of the dispensed liquid  128 . When the beverage and foam have been dispensed, the lever  125  is moved to a neutral position wherein the control circuit  123  switches the valve  115  to open the purge conduit  117  so that the pressure in the body  112  exits through the purge conduit  117 , thus returning the pressure inside the body  112  to that of the ambient environment. The upper housing is opened and the empty beverage container  130  removed. 
         [0023]    In an iteration of the embodiment, a beverage container is placed in the body with the conduit inserted into the liquid that is in the container. With the upper housing closed and creating a fluid-tight, or in this case, an air-tight seal, over the open side of the body, air is pumped into the interior of the body wherein the increased the air pressure moves the beverage by the property of displacement, through the conduit and into the container. A switch sends power to a high-frequency oscillation means produces a sonic wave through the conduit and hence through the liquid being dispensed. The high frequency waves produce a fine, dense foam that floats on top of the dispensed beverage. A manually operated valve is opened to dispel the relatively higher pressure inside the body so that the air in the interior of the body may return to ambient pressure. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an example embodiment  200  comprises a base  210  engaged with a body  212  that is further engaged by way of a gasket  214  with an upper housing  216 . One skilled in the art will understand that there are a number of methods for securing the upper housing with the body such as methods including threaded or clamping closure methods. 
         [0025]    The body  212  is a hollow chamber closed on all but one side. The open side is engaged with a gasket  214  which is further engaged with the upper housing. A conduit  218  extends from the proximal end in the interior of the body  212  where it is intended to be inserted into the liquid  224  to be dispensed, through the upper housing where the distal end forms a spout  219 . The upper housing  216  contains a pumping lever  221 , a power source  221 , a pump  220 , a valve  215 , and a high frequency oscillation means, otherwise referred to as an oscillator  222 . 
         [0026]    A beverage  224  is poured into the body  212  and the proximal end of the conduit  218  is inserted into the beverage  224 . The upper housing  216  is closed over the body  212  and sealed against the gasket  214 . The valve  215  is moved to a position that closes the purge conduit  217  and opens the pump conduit  219 , to allow air from the pump  220  into the interior of the body  212 . The pump lever  225 , is moved so as to pump air into the body  212 . As the air pressure increases inside the body  212 , the liquid in the beverage container  224  is moved through the conduit  218  by the property of displacement, and out the distal end, otherwise referred to as a spout  219 , into the glass  226 . When the user chooses to create a foamed liquid, a switch  223  is turned on, providing power from the power source  221  to the oscillator  222 , thus powering the oscillator  222  that produces an oscillatory wave through the conduit  218  and hence through the carbonated liquid, thus causing it to foam. The oscillatory wave agitates the liquid, increasing the reaction between the carbon dioxide and the proteins and starches in the liquid producing foam  232  that floats on top of the dispensed liquid  228 . The user may then move the valve  215  to the position wherein the purge conduit  217  is opened and conduit  219  is closed, so that the pressure in the body  212  exits through the purge conduit  217 , thus returning the pressure inside the body  212  to that of the ambient environment. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 3  an iteration of the embodiment is illustrated. A base  310  supports a vessel  326  and the body  312  of the embodiment. Clamps  315  engage the upper housing  316  with the body  312 . An operation means, or lever  325  actuates the control circuit that in turn operates the internal components, illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an example embodiment  300  comprises a base  310  engaged with a body  312  that is further engaged by way of a gasket  314  with an upper housing  316 . At least one clamping means  315  engages with a portion of the upper housing  316  and the body  312 . One skilled in the art will understand that there are a number of methods for securing the upper housing with the body such as methods including threaded or clamping closure methods. 
         [0029]    The body  312  is a hollow chamber closed on all but one side. The open side is engaged with a gasket  314  which is further engaged with the upper housing  316 . A conduit  318  extends from the proximal end in the interior of the body  312  where it is intended to be inserted into a container  330  that holds a carbonated beverage to be dispensed, through the upper housing  316  where the distal end forms a spout  319 . The upper housing  316  comprises a lever  325 , a power source  321 , a control circuit  323 , a pump  320 , a valve  315 , and a high frequency oscillation means, otherwise referred to as an oscillator  322 . One skilled in the art will understand that a control circuit and subsequently engaged switches, actuators, solenoid valves and the like are powered by a cord intended for engagement with a wall outlet or a battery operated power source. 
         [0030]    A beverage in a container  330  is placed inside the body  312  and the proximal end of the conduit  318  is inserted into the beverage container  330 . The upper housing  316  is closed over the body  312  and sealed against the gasket  314  by engaging clamps  334 . Movement of the lever  325  actuates a switch  323  that engages the control circuit  323  that in turn moves the valve  315  to a position that closes a purge conduit and opens a pump conduit, to allow air from the pump  320  into the interior of the body  312 . As the air pressure increases inside the body  312 , the liquid in the beverage container  330  is moved through the conduit  318  by the property of displacement, and out the distal end, otherwise referred to as a spout  319 , into the glass  326 . When the user chooses to create a foamed liquid, the lever  325  is moved to a third position wherein a signal to the control circuit, provides power from the power source  321  to the oscillator  322 , thus powering the oscillator  322  that produces an oscillatory wave through the conduit  318  and hence through the carbonated liquid, causing it to foam. The oscillatory wave agitates the liquid, increasing the reaction between the carbon dioxide and the proteins and starches in the liquid producing foam  332  that floats atop the dispensed liquid  328  in the glass  326 . The user may then move the lever  325  to the final position, signaling the control circuit to open the valve  315  to purge the pressure from inside the body  312 , thus returning the pressure inside the body  312  to that of the ambient environment. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , an iteration of the embodiment is illustrated in a perspective view in  FIG. 5  and a side, section view in  FIG. 6 . The example embodiment is intended as an integral design to be engaged with a tap  401 . The tap  401  comprises a valve that allows carbonated liquid to flow from a pressurized vessel such as a keg, along a conduit  418  to the spout  419 . The embodiment includes a housing  405  that contains a power supply  421  that supplies power to an oscillator  422 , through momentary switch  425 . The oscillator produces an oscillatory wave through the conduit  418  and hence through the carbonated liquid, causing it to foam. The oscillatory wave agitates the liquid, increasing the reaction between the carbon dioxide and the proteins and starches in the liquid producing foam  432  that floats atop the dispensed liquid  428  in the glass  426 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , an example embodiment  500  comprises a base  510  engaged with a body  512  that is further engaged by way of a gasket  514  with an upper housing  516 . One skilled in the art will understand that there are a number of methods for securing the upper housing with the body such as methods including threaded or clamping closure methods. 
         [0033]    The body  512  is a hollow chamber closed on all but one side. The open side is engaged with a gasket  514  which is further engaged with the upper housing. A conduit  518  extends from the proximal end in the interior of the body  512  where it is intended to be inserted into the liquid  524  to be dispensed, through the upper housing where the conduit  518  passes through a vessel  550  that may contain a filter or flavored infusion pod  552  wherein it continues to the distal end that forms a spout  519 . The upper housing  516  contains a control lever  525 , a power source  521 , a pump  520 , a valve  515 , a high frequency oscillation means, otherwise referred to as an oscillator  522 , and a control circuit  523 . The control circuit  523  directs power to the aforementioned components to achieve the following described method. 
         [0034]    A beverage container  530  is inserted into the body  512  and the conduit  518  is inserted into the beverage  524 . The upper housing  516  is closed over the body  512  and sealed against the gasket  514 . The operation means or lever  525 , is moved to the position relative to the dispensing of the liquid. The control circuit  522  turns the valve  515  to allow air from the pump  520  into the interior of the body  512 . The control circuit  522  then turns on the pump  520  that transfers air into the interior of the body  512 . As the air pressure increases inside the body  512 , the liquid in the beverage container  524  is moved through the conduit  518  by the property of displacement, and through the vessel  550  where it interacts with the filter and/or infusion pod  552  and continues out the spout  519 , into the glass  526 . When the user chooses to create a foamed liquid, the lever  525  is moved to the position relative to the foaming of the liquid. The control circuit  523  turns on the oscillator  522  that produces an oscillatory wave through the conduit  518  and hence through the carbonated liquid, thus causing it to foam. The oscillatory wave agitates the liquid, increasing the reaction between the carbon dioxide and the proteins and starches in the liquid producing foam  532  that floats on top of the dispensed liquid  528 . When the beverage and foam have been dispensed, the lever  525  is moved to a neutral position wherein the control circuit  523  switches the valve  515  to open the purge conduit  517  so that the pressure in the body  512  exits through the purge conduit  517 , thus returning the pressure inside the body  512  to that of the ambient environment. The upper housing is opened and the empty beverage container  530  removed. One skilled in the art understands that an infusion pod  552  may contain flavors or additives for enhancing the liquid and foam or for enhancing only the liquid or only the foam dispensed. One skilled in the art understands that an infusion pod may be replaced with a filter for the purpose of removing contaminants from the dispensed liquid. 
         [0035]    Although embodiments describe liquid under pressure, one skilled in the art can understand that the invention may also work with liquid flowing through a conduit at ambient pressure. 
         [0036]    A more complete understanding of the components, processes, and apparatuses disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to demonstrate the present disclosure and are not intended to show relative sizes and dimensions or to limit the scope of the disclosed embodiment(s). In particular, the figures provided herein are not necessarily to scale and, in certain views, parts may be exaggerated for clarity. 
         [0037]    Although specific terms are used in the following description, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structures in the drawings and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function. 
         [0038]    The term “about” or “approximately” when used with a quantity includes the stated value and also has the meaning dictated by the context. For example, it includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity. When used in the context of a range, the term “about” or “approximately” should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the range “from about 2 to about 4” or “from approximately 2 to approximately 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.” 
         [0039]    While example embodiments have been described herein, it is expressly noted that these embodiments should not be construed as limiting, but rather that additions and modifications to what is expressly described herein also are included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in various combinations and permutations, even if such combinations or permutations are not made express herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1