Patent Description:
This application relates to Serial no. <CIT> (<CIT>), which relates to Serial no. <CIT>, entitled "Gas/liquid infusion system with intelligent level management and adjustable absorption output.

This application also relates to <CIT>, entitled "Adjustable in-line on demand carbonator chamber for beverage applications.

The present invention relates to a gas liquid absorption device (GLAD), e.g., for mixing, infusing or carbonating beverage liquids (such as coffee, tea, milk, soda, beer, wine, spirits and industrial fluids) with a gas (such as nitrogen (N2), or carbon dioxide (CO2), or a blend of N2 and CO2).

Some of the Shortcomings of the Above-Mentioned Devices:
The above-mentioned device lacks the means to easily add/replace other members such as gas controlling fitting, pressure sensors, pressure relief valve, different type/size of fittings, etc. The adjustable gas member could be difficult to precisely adjust the required amount of gas due to its design and the sizes of the orifices. The mixed product could have inconsistent beverage quality due to fluctuation in gas flow rate.

There is a need in the industry for a better way to infuse gas and liquid for dispensing beverages in restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and convenience stores, etc..

The object of the present invention is solved by a gas liquid absorption device comprising the features of claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

The GLAD according to the present invention can be used to mix/ infuse/ carbonate beverage liquids such as coffee, tea, milk, soda water, beer, wine, spirit, and industrial fluids with Nitrogen, CO2 or blended gases (N2+CO2) to improve taste and add visual effects to drinks such as foam, cascading, and effervescence. The GLAD includes a gas pressure sensor configured in the gas inlet manifold to sense gas pressure of the inlet gas provided to the gas inlet. The GLAD includes a liquid pressure sensor configured in the liquid inlet manifold to sense liquid pressure of the non-infused liquid received in the liquid inlet.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the GLAD may include, or take the form of, the following:.

Accessories like fittings, pressure sensors, PRV (pressure relief valve), etc. can be added/changed as optional devices to enhance the operation of the GLAD and improve field installation. The GLAD assembly may be held together by <NUM> screws and <NUM> washers.

By way of example, and according to some embodiments of the present invention, the GLAD can be set up in a beverage dispense system (e.g., such as a gas infused beverage system shown in <FIG>), as follows:.

All optional electrical components (pressure sensors, pump, solenoid valves, etc.) may be connected to a controller printed circuit board assembly (PCBA).

By way of further example, and according to some embodiments of the present invention, the beverage dispense system may operate as follows:.

The <NUM> check valves are used to prevent back flow of liquid into a gas chamber which can cause blockage of the gas flow and therefore affects the infusion process. The Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) is used to release a pre-set high pressure to prevent damage to the components and system. The pressure sensors (e.g., for the gas and liquid) are used to monitor/measure the pressures by a Controller of the PCBA in order to effectively control the infusion process. Foam height, foam quality, and time of gas cascading in the cup are parts of the drink quality to be measured.

In summary, the present invention provides flexibility for the applications by means to monitor/control the infusion process with pressure sensors, safety, and easily adjust the gas flow rate by replacing the gas fitting/orifice. It also improves the drink quality and performance consistency from drink to drink and over a period of time. In addition, it also has multiple ways of mounting for ease of installation in the field.

By way of example, and according to some embodiments, the present invention may include, or take the form of, a gas liquid absorption device (GLAD), featuring a gas inlet manifold, a liquid inlet manifold and a gas/liquid mixing foamer.

The gas inlet manifold has a gas inlet configured to receive and provide an inlet gas, and also has a gas foamer cavity formed therein and coupled fluidically to the gas inlet to receive the inlet gas.

The liquid inlet manifold has a liquid inlet configured to receive and provide a non-infused liquid, and also has a liquid foamer cavity formed therein and coupled fluidically to the liquid inlet to receive the non-infused liquid.

The gas/liquid mixing foamer is configured between the gas inlet manifold and the liquid inlet manifold and arranged in the gas foamer cavity and the liquid foamer cavity.

The gas/liquid mixing foamer has a gas foamer wall configured to form a gas receiving foamer chamber that is fluidically coupled to the gas foamer cavity. The gas foamer wall has gas provisioning holes formed therein to provide dispersed inlet gas from the gas receiving foamer chamber.

The gas/liquid mixing foamer has a liquid foamer wall configured to form a liquid receiving foamer chamber that is fluidically coupled to the liquid foamer cavity. The liquid foamer wall having liquid provisioning holes formed therein to provide dispersed non-infused liquid from the liquid receiving foamer chamber.

The mixing chamber is configured to receive the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, infuse the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, and provide a foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber.

By way of further example, the GLAD may also include one or more of the following features:
The mixing chamber may be configured in at least part of the gas inlet manifold.

The gas inlet manifold may include a gas manifold wall configured to form the mixing chamber, including a cylindrical wall.

The gas/liquid mixing foamer may include a center wall configured to separate fluidically the gas receiving foamer chamber and the liquid receiving foamer chamber, e.g., so the inlet gas and the inlet liquid can be separately provided to the mixing chamber.

The GLAD may include a gas O-ring configured between the gas foamer wall and a cylindrical wall of the gas foamer cavity.

The GLAD may include a liquid O-ring configured between the liquid foamer wall and a corresponding cylindrical wall of the liquid foamer cavity.

The GLAD may include a gas inlet fitting configured in the gas inlet to provide the inlet gas, including where the gas inlet fitting is a quick-connect gas inlet fitting.

The GLAD may include a check valve assembly, e.g., including an inlet check valve configured in the gas inlet, or a foamer check valve configured in the gas receiving foamer chamber, or both the inlet check valve configured in the gas inlet and the foamer check valve configured in the gas receiving foamer chamber.

The GLAD includes a gas pressure sensor configured in the gas inlet manifold to sense gas pressure of the inlet gas provided to the gas/liquid foamer.

The GLAD may include a liquid outlet fitting coupled to the gas inlet manifold and configured to provide the foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber, including where the liquid outlet fitting is a liquid outlet quick-fitting.

The GLAD may include a pressure relief valve (PRV) coupled to the gas inlet manifold and configured to sense mixing chamber pressure of the foamed gas/liquid mixture in the mixing chamber.

The GLAD may include a liquid inlet fitting configured in the liquid inlet manifold to provide the inlet liquid, including where the liquid inlet fitting is a liquid inlet quick-fitting.

The GLAD includes a liquid pressure sensor configured in the liquid inlet manifold to sense liquid pressure of the inlet liquid provided to the gas/liquid foamer.

The gas provisioning holes may include four gas provisioning holes. The four gas provisioning holes may be in an equidistant and symmetrical arrangement around the gas foamer wall.

The liquid provisioning holes may include eight liquid provisioning holes. The liquid provisioning holes may be configured in an equidistant and symmetrical arrangement around the liquid foamer wall.

By way of example, and according to some embodiments, the present invention may include, or take the form of, a gas infused beverage system having the GLAD according to the present invention. By way of further example, the GLAD may also include one or more of the aforementioned features.

The drawing, which is not necessarily drawn to scale, includes the following Figures:.

Similar parts or components in Figures are labeled with similar reference numerals and labels for consistency. Every lead line and associated reference label for every element is not included in every Figure of the drawing to reduce clutter in the drawing as a whole.

The gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) generally indicated as <NUM>, comprises a gas inlet manifold <NUM>, a liquid inlet manifold <NUM>, a gas/liquid mixing foamer <NUM> and a mixing chamber <NUM>, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG>, as well as <FIG>.

The gas inlet manifold <NUM> has a gas inlet <NUM> configured to receive and provide an inlet gas, and also has a gas foamer cavity <NUM> formed therein and coupled fluidically to the gas inlet <NUM> to receive the inlet gas.

The liquid inlet manifold <NUM> has a liquid inlet <NUM> configured to receive and provide a non-infused liquid, and also has a liquid foamer cavity <NUM> formed therein and coupled fluidically to the liquid inlet <NUM> to receive the non-infused liquid.

The gas inlet manifold <NUM> and liquid inlet manifold <NUM> may be coupled together using screws and/or washers, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG>.

The gas/liquid mixing foamer <NUM> is configured between the gas inlet manifold <NUM> and the liquid inlet manifold <NUM> and arranged in the gas foamer cavity <NUM> and the liquid foamer cavity <NUM>.

The gas/liquid mixing foamer <NUM> has a gas foamer wall <NUM> configured to form a gas receiving foamer chamber <NUM> that is fluidically coupled to the gas foamer cavity <NUM>. The gas foamer wall <NUM> has gas provisioning holes, one of which in labeled 42a, formed therein to provide dispersed inlet gas from the gas receiving foamer chamber <NUM>.

The gas/liquid mixing foamer <NUM> has a liquid foamer wall <NUM> configured to form a liquid receiving foamer chamber <NUM> that is fluidically coupled to the liquid foamer cavity <NUM>. The liquid foamer wall <NUM> has liquid provisioning holes, one of which in labeled 46a, formed therein to provide dispersed non-infused liquid from the liquid receiving foamer chamber <NUM>.

The mixing chamber <NUM> is configured to receive the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, infuse the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, and provide a foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber <NUM> to a liquid outlet quick-fitting <NUM>, e.g., as shown in <FIG>.

The mixing chamber <NUM> is formed in at least part of the gas inlet manifold <NUM>, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG>. Embodiments are envisioned, and the invention is intended to include, the mixing chamber <NUM> being configured in the gas inlet manifold <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, as well as being configured in at least part of the gas inlet manifold <NUM> and at least part of the liquid inlet chamber <NUM>. In other words, embodiments are envisioned, and the invention is intended to include, the mixing chamber <NUM> being configured in at least part of the liquid inlet manifold <NUM>.

The gas inlet manifold <NUM> may include a gas manifold wall <NUM> configured to form the mixing chamber <NUM>, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG>.

The gas/liquid mixing foamer <NUM> may include a center wall <NUM> configured to separate fluidically the gas receiving foamer chamber <NUM> and the liquid receiving foamer chamber <NUM>.

The GLAD <NUM> may include a gas O-ring <NUM> configured between the gas foamer wall <NUM> and the gas foamer cavity <NUM>, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG> that shows the gas O-ring <NUM> arranged in a channel formed in the gas foamer wall <NUM>.

The GLAD <NUM> may include a liquid O-ring <NUM> configured between the liquid foamer wall <NUM> and the liquid foamer cavity <NUM>, as well as a corresponding liquid O-ring <NUM> configured between the gas inlet manifold <NUM> and the liquid inlet manifold <NUM>, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG>. See also <FIG> that shows the gas O-ring <NUM> arranged in a corresponding channel formed in the liquid foamer wall <NUM>.

The GLAD <NUM> includes a gas inlet fitting <NUM> configured in the gas inlet <NUM> to provide the inlet gas, including where the gas inlet fitting is may be a quick-connect gas inlet fitting, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The GLAD <NUM> may include a check valve assembly having an inlet check valve <NUM> configured in the gas inlet <NUM>, or include a foamer check valve <NUM> configured in the gas receiving foamer chamber <NUM>, or include both the inlet check valve <NUM> configured in the gas inlet <NUM> and the foamer check valve <NUM> configured in the gas receiving foamer chamber <NUM>, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG>.

The GLAD <NUM> includes a gas pressure sensor <NUM> configured in the gas inlet manifold <NUM> to sense gas pressure of the inlet gas provided to the gas/liquid foamer <NUM>, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG>.

The liquid outlet fitting <NUM> may be coupled to the gas inlet manifold <NUM> and configured to provide the foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber <NUM>, including where the liquid outlet fitting <NUM> is a liquid outlet quick-fitting, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The GLAD <NUM> may include a pressure relief valve <NUM> coupled to the gas inlet manifold <NUM> and configured to sense mixing chamber pressure of the foamed gas/liquid mixture in the mixing chamber <NUM>, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The GLAD <NUM> includes a liquid inlet fitting <NUM> configured in the liquid inlet manifold <NUM> to provide the inlet liquid, including where the liquid inlet fitting <NUM> may be a liquid inlet quick-fitting, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The GLAD <NUM> includes a liquid pressure sensor <NUM> configured in the liquid inlet manifold <NUM> to sense liquid pressure of the inlet liquid provided to the gas/liquid foamer <NUM>, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The gas provisioning holes 42a may include four gas provisioning holes, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. By way of example, the four gas provisioning holes 42a are configured in an equidistant and symmetrical arrangement around the gas foamer wall. By way of further example, the gas provisioning holes 42a may be dimensioned as <NUM>" (<NUM>) holes, although the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular size of the holes.

The liquid provisioning holes 46a may include eight liquid provisioning holes, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. By way of example, the liquid provisioning holes 46a may be configured in an equidistant and symmetrical arrangement around the liquid foamer wall. By way of further example, the gas provisioning holes 46a may be dimensioned as <NUM>" (<NUM>) holes, although the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular size of the holes.

The manifolds <NUM>, <NUM> are configured or form as molded units, including plastic injection molded units.

<FIG> shows a typical setup for a gas infused beverage system having a GLAD <NUM>, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG>, and according to the present invention.

In the gas infused beverage system in <FIG>, the GLAD <NUM> is configured between a gas solenoid valve and a diaphragm pump and provides the foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber <NUM> (<FIG>) via a liquid hose to a tap, e.g., including a nitro infused tap.

The gas solenoid receives gas from a gas cylinder via a gas pressure regulator. The gas from the gas cylinder is also provided to a beverage keg via a corresponding gas pressure regulator.

The diaphragm pump has an inlet that receives liquid from the beverage keg via liquid solenoid valve and a filter assembly. The diaphragm has an outlet that provides the pumped liquid to the GLAD <NUM>.

The GLAD <NUM> also has easily replaceable fittings and sensors, e.g., including a gas orifice fitting, liquid orifice fitting, gas pressure sensor, and liquid pressure sensor.

Liquid and gas pressure sensors are known in the art, and the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

Motor driven pumps, infusion tank/vessels, etc. are also known in the art, and the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

Possible applications include the following:
Gas (N2, CO2, N2+CO2) infused beverages such as coffee, tea, milk, beer, soda, juice, water, beer, wine, sprit, industrial fluids, etc..

Infusing CO2 or other gases such as Nitrogen into liquids for beverages water, soda, beer, coffee, tea, milk and yogurt based.

Claim 1:
A gas liquid absorption device, referred to hereinafter as GLAD, (<NUM>) comprising
a gas inlet manifold (<NUM>) having a gas inlet fitting (<NUM>) configured to receive and provide an inlet gas to a gas inlet (<NUM>) of the gas inlet manifold (<NUM>), and also having a gas foamer cavity (<NUM>) formed therein and coupled fluidically to the gas inlet (<NUM>) to receive the inlet gas;
a liquid inlet manifold (<NUM>) having a liquid inlet fitting (<NUM>) configured to receive and provide a non-infused liquid to a liquid inlet (<NUM>) of the liquid inlet manifold (<NUM>), and also having a liquid foamer cavity (<NUM>) formed therein and coupled fluidically to the liquid inlet (<NUM>) to receive the non-infused liquid;
a gas/liquid mixing foamer (<NUM>) configured between the gas inlet manifold (<NUM>) and the liquid inlet manifold (<NUM>) and arranged in the gas foamer cavity (<NUM>) and the liquid foamer cavity (<NUM>), the gas/liquid mixing foamer (<NUM>) having a gas foamer wall (<NUM>) configured to form a gas receiving foamer chamber (<NUM>) that is fluidically coupled to the gas foamer cavity (<NUM>), the gas foamer wall (<NUM>) having gas provisioning holes (42a) formed therein to provide dispersed inlet gas from the gas receiving foamer chamber (<NUM>), the gas/liquid mixing foamer (<NUM>) having a liquid foamer wall (<NUM>) configured to form a liquid receiving foamer chamber (<NUM>) that is fluidically coupled to the liquid foamer cavity (<NUM>), the liquid foamer wall (<NUM>) having liquid provisioning holes (46a) formed therein to provide dispersed non-infused liquid from the liquid receiving foamer chamber (<NUM>); and
a mixing chamber (<NUM>) formed in at least part of the gas inlet manifold (<NUM>) and configured to receive the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, infuse the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, and provide a foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber (<NUM>)
wherein
the gas inlet manifold (<NUM>) has a gas pressure sensor (<NUM>) configured in the gas inlet manifold (<NUM>) to sense gas pressure of the inlet gas received in the gas inlet (<NUM>), and
the liquid inlet manifold (<NUM>) has a liquid pressure sensor (<NUM>) configured in the liquid inlet manifold (<NUM>) to sense liquid pressure of the non-infused liquid received in the liquid inlet (<NUM>).