Patent Description:
The use of N<NUM> gas to store and dispense carbonated beverages such as beer and soda is conventionally known and is described, for example in <CIT> and in <CIT>. However, infusion of other non-carbonated beverages such as coffee or tea and provision of that product as a chilled beverage to a consumer from a dispensing unit has not been successfully accomplished to date.

A chilled beverage such as tea or coffee is provided with unique flavor and appearance by N<NUM> infusion and there is a need for a system, preferably a self-contained unit that prepares and dispenses chilled N<NUM> or N<NUM>/CO<NUM> infused beverages both in a commercial utility and in a residential kitchen. In addition to flavor and appearance enhancement of the chilled beverage, the system must also be cost effective and user friendly for utilization and maintenance.

<CIT> discloses an impregnating device and a dispensing system.

<CIT> discloses a process for providing separately-adjustable solution of two gases eg CO<NUM> and N<NUM>, in a dispensed beverage eg beer, that uses gas permeable hollow fibre membrane with a valve assembly operated in a sequence that sequentially feeds the gases from respective supplies to the bore side of the membrane with the beverage fed from supply to the shell side.

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention. A first embodiment of the present invention includes a system for dispensing a cooled beverage, the system being defined in the claims. A second embodiment of the present invention includes a beverage dispensing unit comprising the inventive system for dispensing a cooled liquid, the beverage dispensing unit being defined in the claims. A third embodiment of the present invention includes a method for dispensing a chilled beverage from the inventive system, the method being defined in the claims.

Among others, the inventive system comprises a bag-in-box-container. The bag-in-box container not being pressurized, the system may be simplified because a secondary regulator and gas supply to the beverage container are not necessary. The present invention includes a system for dispensing a cooled beverage, the system being defined in claim <NUM>.

In a further aspect, the system includes a chiller or refrigeration unit that cools at least the beverage tank or bag in box container and preferably cools the beverage tank or bag in box container, liquid/gas contactor membrane unit and the dispense tower.

In another special aspect of the first and second embodiments, the nitrogen gas supply is at least <NUM> % N<NUM>.

In preferred applications, the system is a self-contained unit which is suitable for utility in a commercial facility such as a restaurant or coffee shop.

In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method for dispensing a chilled beverage from the inventive. The method comprises the steps defined in the claims. Optionally the beverage may be chilled prior to charging to the beverage tank, may be chilled while in the beverage tank or chilled prior to the charge and chilled in the tank.

Since the beverage is in a bag in box container, pressurization of the container is not necessary and beverage flow to the liquid/gas contactor membrane is accomplished only via the diaphragm pump.

In one preferred aspect of the method of the present invention the chilled beverage is coffee that is cooled to a temperature of <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM>°F) and infused with <NUM> to <NUM> ppm N<NUM>.

In a further aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the beverage faucet is a slow pour faucet optionally equipped with a restrictor nozzle or restrictor plate.

Throughout this description all ranges described include all values and sub-ranges therein, unless otherwise specified. Additionally, the indefinite article "a" or "an" carries the meaning of "one or more" throughout the description, unless otherwise specified.

According to the present invention the term "beverage" means any noncarbonated aqueous liquid material that is a homogeneous liquid substantially free of solids having a flavor due to dissolved components.

Dispensing of the chilled beverage means opening a faucet of the system to allow the chilled N<NUM> or N<NUM>/CO<NUM> infused beverage to flow from the system into a receiver such as a glass, mug or other drinking container. Throughout the following description the term "gas infused" will be employed to describe either N<NUM> or N<NUM>/CO<NUM> infused beverage. If an embodiment is directed specifically to a N<NUM>/CO<NUM> mixture or specifically to only N<NUM> infusion, the actual gas composition is explicitly disclosed.

Dispensing of the gas infused chilled beverage is an element of the present invention wherein reduction of pressure on the gas infused beverage allows escape of infused gas and results in unique properties which distinguishes the dispensed beverage by enhancement of the beverage's flavor and/or appearance.

Throughout this description, the terms nitrogen, nitrogen gas, N<NUM> and N<NUM> gas are used interchangeably and convey the same meaning unless otherwise specified. The term mixed gas is used to describe a gas mixture containing at least <NUM>% N<NUM> with the remainder being carbon dioxide.

The present inventors have recognized that beverages other than carbonated drinks such as beer and soda may have enhanced flavor and attractive appearance as a result of infusing the beverage with nitrogen or a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Upon study of methods to disperse and dissolve nitrogen or a combination of nitrogen and carbon dioxide into a chilled beverage such as coffee, tea or other noncarbonated beverages such as juices and electrolyte drinks, for example, the inventors have designed a dispense system to provide a gas infused chilled beverage in such a way to present the beverage with a unique and appealing flavor and appearance.

In description of the Figures that follow elements common to the schematic system will have the same number designation unless otherwise noted.

<FIG> shows a system for dispensing a cooled beverage, comprising: a beverage tank capable of being pressurized (<NUM>); a controlled pressurized gas supply of pure nitrogen gas or a mixed gas (<NUM>); a gas supply assembly (<NUM>), a liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>); a beverage pump (<NUM>); and a beverage faucet (<NUM>) located in a dispense tower (<NUM>) attached downstream in beverage flow to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit via line (<NUM>) wherein regulated pressure gas is fed via supply lines to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>), the beverage pump (<NUM>) and through a secondary regulator (<NUM>) to the beverage tank (<NUM>). The beverage pump is arranged via a transfer line (<NUM>) to transfer beverage from the beverage tank to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit and from the liquid/gas contactor to the tower assembly (<NUM>). The gas feed supply line (<NUM>) to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit comprises a check valve (<NUM>) preventing liquid flow from the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit via gas inlet (<NUM>) into the gas supply line. The chilled beverage is pumped into the liquid/gas contactor via beverage inlet (<NUM>) and the gas infused beverage exits the liquid/gas contactor at beverage outlet (<NUM>). For convenience and ease of beverage replacement or renewal, the beverage tank may be connected to the gas feed line and the feed line to the pump via quick connect couplings (<NUM>) well known in the industry.

The system may preferably incorporate an inline strainer and/or filtration unit (not shown in <FIG>) in the beverage line from the beverage tank to the pump or in the line from the pump to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit in order to protect the gas permeable membranes of the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit the filtration from solids which may be present in the beverage.

<FIG> shows a system, wherein the beverage container capable of being pressurized is replaced with a bag in box beverage container (<NUM>). The system of <FIG> is according to the present invention. The bag in box modification simplifies the system in that pressurization of the beverage container is not necessary and therefore there is no need for a gas line to the container or secondary gas regulator to control the pressure of that line. The pump (<NUM>) transfers the beverage to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit.

Bag in box containers are commercially available in a range of volume sizes and materials of construction. Any suitable container of volume size convenient to the intended application may be employed. Generally, a container of <NUM> to <NUM> liter (<NUM> to <NUM> gallons) is employed based on convenience of handling and size and structure of the refrigeration system to be employed. However, systems constructed for high volume dispense may be larger, for example <NUM> liter (<NUM> gallons) or more. The box component of the container may be corrugated cardboard while the bag may be constructed of any material accepted for use in the food and beverage industry.

<FIG> schematically shows the arrangement of the fundamental components of the dispense system of the present invention. However, in the construction of commercial functional units secondary components such as safety regulators, valves, couplings, harnesses, support structure and other functional components known to one of skill in the beverage dispense technology may be incorporated in the system. Such commercial arrangements are included in the present invention as long as the structural components and arrangements disclosed herein are present.

The faucet (<NUM>) shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> may be a slow pour faucet designed to dispense the chilled gas infused liquid at a controlled rate to allow foam formation upon dispense and provide the unique flavor and appearance associated with the product obtained via dispense from the system of this invention. Commercially available faucets typically employed to tap beer are suitable for use as the faucet (<NUM>).

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of a faucet tower. In a highly preferred aspect, a restrictor nozzle (<NUM>) is inserted in the tip of the faucet to further enhance the foam formation during liquid dispense. Restrictor nozzles providing differing dispense characteristics are known and commercially available. Additionally, a restrictor plate may be employed in place of or in combination with the nozzle to enhance the frothing effect of the dispense system. The embodiment shown in <FIG> also includes a tap handle (<NUM>) which may be a decorative enhancement to the system, a drip tray (<NUM>) and quick connect coupling (<NUM>) to line (<NUM>) shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The tap handle, drip tray and quick connect coupling are commercial enhancements to the system and are not elements of the present invention.

In preferred embodiments the system is arranged or constituted in a self-contained unit or dispense kit that may be conveniently shipped to and placed in a commercial establishment for preparation and dispensation of specialty gas infused chilled beverages. The system may or may not include a chilling or refrigeration unit capable of cooling the system components and beverage therein to a temperature less than ambient or room temperature. However, if the cooling capability is not included in the system provision to maintain the beverage in a cooled state may be made according to methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The self-contained unit provides a user friendly and convenient chilled gas infused beverage preparation and dispensing unit especially suited for coffee bars, cafeterias, restaurants and other commercial establishments where beverages are served. In a special embodiment the present invention provides a kit of the above described components that includes a mounting panel housing which attaches to a wall or panel and mounts some or all of the system components to the wall. <FIG> shows a schematic diagram of one possible wall mount arrangement of the kit assembly.

The chilling or refrigeration system is capable to cool the system and the beverage therein to approximately <NUM> (<NUM>°F) although the choice of temperature will be dependent upon the beverage being handled in the system and the flavor and appearance sought. Chilling or refrigeration systems suitable for the system of the present invention are commercially available. One particularly preferred system is an IOWA ROTO CAST "BREEZER" cylinder shaped refrigeration unit that may conveniently contain the components of the system.

The nitrogen supply may be essentially pure nitrogen having a N<NUM> content of at least <NUM> % by weight. Grades of nitrogen containing differing content of carbon dioxide within this range may be employed to impart varying flavor and appearance effects to the dispensed beverage.

The nitrogen or mixed gas is supplied via a gas regulator valve through a pressure rated supply line containing a "T" connection to both the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit and the diaphragm pump as indicated in <FIG>. In this manner the pressure of the chilled beverage pumped into the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit and the pressure of the N<NUM> or N<NUM>/CO<NUM> gas in the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit are controlled by the regulator on the supply tank.

The diaphragm pump may be any appropriately sized diaphragm pump constructed for transfer of liquids for human consumption. Pumps suitable for this use are commercially available and as one example, a "SHURFLO BEER ACE" diaphragm pump may be noted.

The beverage tank is pressurized with N<NUM> that is supplied via a secondary regulator as shown in <FIG>. Generally, the pressure in the beverage tank is regulated to be lower than the pressure of the N<NUM> or N<NUM>/CO<NUM> mixture supplied to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit and diaphragm pump.

A check valve is located in the N<NUM> feed line to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit to prevent liquid "backflow" from the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit to the nitrogen gas supply.

The liquid/gas contactor membrane unit is any suitable membrane unit containing hollow fibers such that N<NUM> gas supplied to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit contacts the chilled beverage via passage through a gas permeable membrane and is dissolved and/or dispersed into the beverage to form a N<NUM> infused beverage.

In general description, a liquid/gas contactor membrane unit may be constructed of a cylindrical tube containing hollow fiber membranes. Water, aqueous liquid or a liquid having a surface tension similar to water is pumped into the space about the exterior of the hollow membranes. N<NUM> gas at a set pressure as determined by the supply regulator is passed into the interior of the hollow fiber membrane from where it permeates through the membrane and the permeate N<NUM> contacts the chilled beverage on the exterior of the membrane and infuses into the beverage. A schematic diagram of an example of a liquid/gas contactor membrane unit is shown in <FIG>. As indicated in the cross-sectional view B-B the contactor unit contains a series of hollow fiber membranes (<NUM>) arranged within a solid casing (<NUM>) and surrounded by fluid space (<NUM>). Liquid/gas contactor units are conventionally known and any unit which provides for gas-liquid contact across a permeable membrane may be suitably employed. In one embodiment of <FIG>, the N<NUM> or N<NUM> mixed gas is passed through the hollow membranes while the chilled beverage is passed through the fluid space surrounding the hollow fiber membranes. However, it is also possible to pass the chilled beverage through the hollow fiber membranes while passing the N<NUM> or N<NUM> mixed gas through the fluid space. Variation and control of the gas pressure in the interior of the hollow fiber membrane relative to the pressure of the liquid on the exterior of the hollow fiber membrane allows for differing degrees of gas infusion into the liquid.

The gas infused beverage is transported from the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit to a dispense tower equipped with a beverage faucet. In a preferred embodiment, as previously described the beverage faucet is a slow pour faucet that dispenses the chilled gas infused beverage at a rate of from <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM> ounces) per second, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM> ounces) per second and most preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM> ounces) per second. This effect and dispense rate may be further enhanced by insertion of a restrictor nozzle in the tip of the faucet as previously described.

A detailed diagram of an example of a dispense kit assembly arrangement is shown in <FIG>. In <FIG> a beverage container (<NUM>) capable of being pressurized is arranged inside a refrigeration body (<NUM>). A mixed gas or nitrogen supply tank (<NUM>) is located external to the refrigeration unit and supplies pressurized gas into the unit to the nitrogenator infuser (liquid gas contactor membrane unit) (<NUM>), the beverage pump (<NUM>) and the beverage container (<NUM>) via the secondary regulator (<NUM>) all arranged in a basket assembly (<NUM>) as shown in <FIG>. This unit may be portable if equipped with wheels or simply free-standing.

The assembly shown in <FIG> includes the arrangement shown in <FIG> and other secondary components that may be included to enhance the safety and performance of the system as previously described. The component identification numbering for the special embodiment shown in <FIG> is not consistent with the numbering in <FIG> and <FIG> and is identified according to the following key.

The arrangement shown in <FIG> is assembled such that the components may be placed in a basket assembly as indicated in <FIG> and placed within a refrigeration unit along with the beverage container (<NUM>).

<FIG> shows a standard gas supply assembly that may be utilized with the dispense system of the present invention. The invention is not limited to the assembly of <FIG> and any pressure regulated supply system providing nitrogen or nitrogen mixed gas may be employed.

The component identification numbering for the gas supply system shown in <FIG> is identified according to the following key.

In another embodiment of the present invention the dispense unit as schematically shown in <FIG> may be assembled in a unit suitable for mounting on a wall or a panel of a vehicle. The arrangement of the component parts may be vertical or horizontal and may have components on opposite sides of the wall or panel. For example, only the faucet tower may be visible on one side while the other functional components including the refrigeration unit, liquid/gas contactor, beverage container, pump and lines are out of view on the opposite side. The present invention includes all such arrangements as long as the schematic arrangement shown in <FIG> and recited in the following Claims is present.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for preparing and dispensing a chilled gas infused beverage from a system of the present invention. The method comprises the steps defined in the claims.

In the inventive method, there is no gas supplied to the bag-in-box container and no pressure applied to the bag-in-box container.

In one preferred embodiment the beverage is coffee that is cooled to a temperature of -<NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM>°F), preferably <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM>°F) and most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM>°F). Further, when the beverage is coffee the N<NUM> pressure in the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit and at the beverage pump is from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa (<NUM> to <NUM> psi) and the N<NUM> content in the infused chilled coffee obtained is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> ppm and most preferable <NUM> to <NUM> ppm.

The effect of the slow dispensing of the slow pour faucet is such that upon release from the system and flow to the receiver such as a serving glass, N<NUM> gas escapes from the chilled coffee as it cascades to the glass and results in the appearance of a head of foam or froth on the surface of the chilled coffee providing a flavor, aroma and appearance unique to the product obtained according to the present invention.

The unique effect of the "head" obtained according to the invention may be attributable to the novel application of N<NUM> gas pressure applied in liquid/gas contactor membrane unit and the beverage pump. Although in one embodiment the beverage pump is a diaphragm pump driven by the N<NUM> from the supply tank, it may be possible in other system embodiments to control the diaphragm pump by another method or gas supply independent of the N<NUM> supply pressure.

Diaphragm pumps are conventionally employed in industry for the pumping of beer, soda and other beverages, especially because such pumps are compatible with carbonated as well as non-carbonated liquids. Although utility of a diaphragm pump has been disclosed in these embodiments, it may be possible to employ other pumps suitable for liquids intended for human consumption.

In an embodiment wherein the gas pressure to the diaphragm pump or other suitable beverage pump is independent of the N<NUM> supply pressure, the relative pressure of the N<NUM> gas in the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit and the pressure of the liquid in the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit may be varied in order to impart more unique appearance and possibly flavor enhancement to the dispensed chilled beverage. In this embodiment the ratio of the N<NUM> gas feed pressure to the liquid pressure of the chilled beverage in the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit may be from <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM> in contrast to the embodiment described above wherein because the diaphragm pump and N<NUM> feed to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit are from the same supply, the ratio of the N<NUM> gas feed pressure to the liquid pressure of the chilled beverage in the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit is approximately <NUM>/<NUM>.

One of ordinary skill may learn the effect of variation of the ratio of the N<NUM> gas feed pressure to the liquid pressure of the chilled beverage in the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit on properties of the dispensed chilled beverage through experimentation and adjust the settings as learned to obtain a N<NUM> infused chilled beverage having unique flavor, aroma and appearance.

In a further embodiment, the system may further contain a blast chiller unit, wherein a hot liquid such as brewed coffee or tea is first rapidly chilled or superchilled to <NUM> (<NUM>°F) or lower and then charged to the beverage tank. Such rapid chill may serve to further enhance the flavor and aroma of the N<NUM> infused chilled beverage when dispensed to a drinking glass or other receiver.

Claim 1:
A system for dispensing a cooled beverage, wherein the beverage is a non-carbonated aqueous liquid material that is a homogenous liquid substantially free of solids having a flavor due to dissolved components, the system comprising:
a bag-in-box beverage container (<NUM>);
a controlled pressurized supply of N<NUM> gas controlled by a regulator (<NUM>);
a liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>);
a diaphragm pump (<NUM>); and
a beverage faucet (<NUM>) attached downstream to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>)
wherein
the system is arranged to feed regulated pressure nitrogen gas via supply lines (<NUM>, <NUM>) to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>) and the diaphragm pump (<NUM>),
the diaphragm pump (<NUM>) is arranged via transfer lines (<NUM>) to transfer beverage from the bag-in-box beverage container (<NUM>) to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>), and
the nitrogen feed supply line (<NUM>) to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>) comprises a check valve (<NUM>) preventing liquid flow from the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>) into the pressurized gas supply line (<NUM>),
the system is arranged to control the pressure of the cooled beverage pumped into the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>) and the pressure of the N<NUM> gas in the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>) by the regulator (<NUM>) on the N<NUM> gas supply, and
the system is arranged to simultaneously control the pressure of the N<NUM> supplied to the liquid/gas contactor membrane unit (<NUM>) and the diaphragm pump (<NUM>) at from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa (<NUM> to <NUM> psi).