Beverage Dispensing Assembly Comprising an Ingredient Container Receiving Means and a Gas Pressure Regulator and Method of Dispensing a Beverage with Such Assembly

Abstract

A beverage dispensing assembly for preparing and dispensing a beverage has a source of pressurized base liquid containing dissolved CO 2 , N 2 or N 2 O and a gas pressure of at least 0.5 bar overpressure at 2° C. A beverage unit with a liquid flow path has a liquid inlet at one end in fluid communication with the base liquid in the base liquid source and a beverage outlet at an opposite end. An ingredient container receiving means has an ingredient container installed so the contents are in fluid communication with the liquid flow path for mixing the contents with a base liquid in the liquid flow path. A gas pressure regulation unit has a pressure chamber in the liquid flow path downstream of the communication between the liquid flow path and the ingredient container contents. A gas ingredient inlet is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber.

1 . A beverage dispensing assembly for preparing and dispensing a beverage the assembly comprising:
 a source of pressurized base liquid having CO 2 , N 2  or N 2 O dissolved therein and having a gas pressure of at least 0.5 bar overpressure at 2° C.;   a beverage unit with a liquid flow path having a liquid inlet at one end in fluid communication with the base liquid in the source of base liquid by means of a valve and a beverage outlet at an opposite end;   an ingredient container receiving means having an ingredient container installed therein such that when correctly installed, the content of the ingredient container is in fluid communication with the liquid flow path for mixing the content of the ingredient container with a base liquid in the liquid flow path;   a gas pressure regulation unit having a pressure chamber provided in the liquid flow path downstream of the fluid communication between the liquid flow path and the content of the ingredient container; and   a gas ingredient inlet in fluid communication with the pressure chamber through a valve.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1  comprising:
 a device for measuring the amount of dissolved and/or entrained gasses in the beverage, said measuring device configured to measure the amount of dissolved and/or entrained gasses in the beverage at a location along the liquid flow line downstream of the fluid communication between the ingredient container content and the liquid line, and upstream the gas pressure regulation unit. 
 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 1  comprising a microprocessor and actuator configured to control operation of the valve provided at the gas ingredient inlet in the gas pressure regulation unit based on input received from the measuring device. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to any of  claim 1 , wherein the gas ingredient inlet is coupled to a pressurized gas source. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the gas in the pressurized gas source comprises at least one of CO 2 , N 2  or N 2 O. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the gas ingredient inlet is coupled to a source of food-grade carbonates or acids capable of generating carbon dioxide when reacted in the presence of water. 
     
     
         7 . A method for preparing dispensing a carbonated beverage comprising the steps of:
 providing an ingredient container;   providing a pressurised base liquid having CO 2 , N 2  or N 2 O dissolved therein and having a gas pressure of at least 0.5 bar overpressure at 2° C.;   mixing the content of the ingredient container with the base liquid to prepare the beverage to be dispensed;   subsequent to the mixing step, increasing the gas pressure of the beverage prior dispensing by mixing the beverage and an amount of a gas ingredient; and   dispensing the beverage.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said ingredient container comprises a unit dose of beverage ingredient for preparation of one single beverage. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising the additional step of measuring the gas pressure on the beverage after the step of mixing the content of the ingredient with the base liquid and before the step of increasing the gas pressure of the beverage. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the increasing of the gas pressure is obtained by contacting the beverage with a pressurized gas stream comprising CO 2 , N 2  or N 2 O. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the pressurized gas is scented. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 2  comprising a microprocessor and actuator configured to control operation of the valve provided at the gas ingredient inlet in the gas pressure regulation unit based on input received from the measuring device. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the increasing of the gas pressure is obtained by contacting the beverage with a pressurized gas stream comprising CO 2 , N 2  or N 2 O. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the increasing of the gas pressure is obtained by contacting the beverage with a pressurized gas stream comprising CO 2 , N 2  or N 2 O.