TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to beverage carbonation devices; and more specifically, to methods for producing booster mixture. The present disclosure also relates to apparatuses for releasing the booster mixture into a liquid.

BACKGROUND

Carbonated or aerated beverages for human consumption have been widely available since decades. Notably, carbon dioxide gas is injected into certain liquids to create carbonated beverages. Some liquids such as soda, water, and beer are sold to the general public in a pre-carbonated form. However, soon after the consumer opens the beverage container, the carbon dioxide gas slowly escapes from the beverage, causing it to de-carbonate. This occurs even when the container is re-sealed between uses.

In recent times, many household devices have been introduced that enable an ordinary consumer to carbonate beverages. In existing household devices, carbon dioxide gas is added into a liquid in a container. The liquid, in such instance, may be water to obtain soda water or may require an additional flavouring agent to provide a desired flavour to the beverage. Therefore, conventionally, three pieces of equipment, namely device for carbonation, a carbon dioxide gas container and a beverage container are required to enable household carbonation of beverages. Furthermore, such devices carry several drawbacks such as a lack of portability and/or versatility and high maintenance costs. Notably, conventional household devices for carbonation of beverage are also not suitable to beverage with high viscosity and fail to carbonate viscous liquid homogenously. Furthermore, such devices do not enable efficient mixing of gas with the beverage concentrates resulting in microbubble formation only near the top layer of the beverage. Moreover, mixing ratio of carbon dioxide to an amount of beverage produced as an end result is significantly low.

Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with conventional method of aerating or carbonating liquids.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to provide a method for producing booster mixture. The present disclosure also seeks to provide an apparatus for releasing the booster mixture into a liquid. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a solution that overcomes at least partially the problems encountered in prior art.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of producing a booster mixture comprising a first volume of mixture and a second volume of gas in a hollow container, the method comprising: pressurizing a beverage concentrate with a first volume of gas to create a first volume of mixture; adding the first volume of mixture into the hollow container; and adding the second volume of gas into the hollow container to create a first pressure inside the hollow container.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus comprising: a hollow container comprising o a base part; o a top part opposite to the base part having an opening; o a container body arranged between the base part and the top part to form together with the base part and the top part the hollow container defining a volume of space; o a releaser arranged on the opening; o a tube extending from the releaser towards the base part; o a booster mixture comprising:

■ a first volume of mixture provided inside of the hollow container, the mixture comprising

• a beverage concentrate,

• a first volume of gas dissolved in the beverage concentrate,

■ a second volume of gas provided inside of the hollow container to create a first pressure inside of the hollow container, wherein the first volume and the second volume fills the volume of space; wherein the releaser is arranged to release at least part of the booster mixture outside of the apparatus via the tube when opened at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure substantially eliminate or at least partially address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, and enables aeration and/or carbonation of a liquid in an efficient, cost- effective and eco-friendly manner

Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.

It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those skilled in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart depicting steps of a method of producing a booster mixture, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a booster mixture, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an apparatus coupled to a second container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an apparatus coupled to the second container, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an apparatus implemented as a bag-on-valve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an apparatus implemented as a hand-held minisiphon in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practising the present disclosure are also possible.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of producing a booster mixture comprising a first volume of mixture and a second volume of gas in a hollow container, the method comprising: pressurizing a beverage concentrate with a first volume of gas to create a first volume of mixture; adding the first volume of mixture into the hollow container; and adding the second volume of gas into the hollow container to create a first pressure inside the hollow container.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus comprising: a hollow container comprising o a base part; o a top part opposite to the base part having an opening; o a container body arranged between the base part and the top part to form together with the base part and the top part the hollow container defining a volume of space; o a releaser arranged on the opening; o a tube extending from the releaser towards the base part; o a booster mixture comprising:

■ a first volume of mixture provided inside of the hollow container, the mixture comprising

• a beverage concentrate,

• a first volume of gas dissolved in the beverage concentrate,

■ a second volume of gas provided inside of the hollow container to create a first pressure inside of the hollow container, wherein the first volume and the second volume fills the volume of space; wherein the releaser is arranged to release at least part of the booster mixture outside of the apparatus via the tube when opened at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

The present disclosure provides a method of producing a booster mixture and an apparatus that enables aeration and carbonation of a liquid in an efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly manner. The method enables an efficient and thorough mixing of the gas with the liquid thereby allowing a homogeneous distribution of bubbles in the liquid. Furthermore, the present disclosure does not require different cartridges to introduce flavouring and carbonation to a liquid as required by conventional devices. The present disclosure further does not require any equipment using which the carbon dioxide from a cartridge is dispensed into the liquid. Moreover, as the carbon dioxide and a beverage concentrate have already reacted under pressure, a larger nozzle and therefore a more viscous flavour can be used to inject the mixture into the liquid, thereby allowing a larger quantity of beverage to be produced. The resulting apparatus thus has a smaller carbon footprint with a high mixing ratio of beverage concentrate to beverage. The apparatus is also simple in structure having a small number of operational parts, thereby providing ease and simplicity in operation to the consumer. Additionally, the apparatus is easy to store and transport.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "booster mixture" as used herein refers to a starting mixture that includes a liquid phase and a gas phase mixed in predefined proportions. The liquid phase and the gas phase of the booster mixture are capable of self-mixing by at least one of a chemical reaction or a physical reaction therebetween. The liquid phase may typically be a flavour concentrate, an alcohol, and the like. The liquid phase of the booster mixture may include, but is not limited to, a beverage concentrate (such as a flavoured syrup, an alcohol, coffee, or fruit juice), an active pharmaceutical ingredient (such as an essential oil, a bactericidal, a fungicidal or an anti-viral), a cosmetic product (such as a creme, a gel or a tonic), a perfuming product (such as a flower essence, fruit concentrate), a colourant (such as a paint, a powder), a food product (such as a creme). The gas phase may be a gas safe for human use (i.e., oral, nasal, dermal, optical, and in various utilities) in defined concentrations, such as for example carbon dioxide (CO2), a propellant gas (such as nitrous oxide N2O), and the like. It will be appreciated that the booster mixture is required to be mixed (by means of dilution) with a larger quantity of a solvent (liquid or gas) before a potential use thereof. The booster mixture is stored in a suitable container configured to retain the said mixture while maintaining the usable properties of the said mixture as well as the integrity of the container itself during storage, distribution, transit and so on.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "apparatus" as used herein refers to a receptacle or enclosure for holding a product used in storage, packaging and transit. The apparatus typically protects the content thereof from external forces. The apparatus is generally fabricated from a durable and partly rigid fabrication material. For example, the apparatus may be fabricated from a stainless steel, a plastic material, a ceramic material, a glass, an aluminium, a tin material, a metal or an alloy of any metal(s). Optionally, the apparatus comprises a first end (corresponding to the first part of the hollow container therein), a second end (corresponding to the base part of the hollow container therein) and a side wall (corresponding to the container body of the hollow container therein). It will be appreciated that the shape of the apparatus may or may not be similar to the hollow container therein. Beneficially, the aforesaid apparatus finds potential application in various industries, such as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries dealing in aerated or carbonated beverages, toiletries, cosmetics, and the like. Additionally, beneficially, the disclosed apparatus is compact, portable, and easy to handle. An end user of the disclosed apparatus does not require to add separately (i.e., manually) a desired flavour concentrate as the desired flavour concentrate is already included in the hollow container. Optionally, the design of the apparatus is selected from a group comprising: a bottle-cap type structure, a spray bottle, an aerosoda bottle, a keg, and a bag-on-valve structure.

Optionally, the apparatus comprises at least one cap. The cap typically serves as an access point for the content of the apparatus. Optionally, the cap comprises a hole for an outlet tube (such as in the bottle-cap structure); a sealing for the mounting (such as in the spray bottle); a guidance arrangement for mounting; a backpressure valve for the inlet. It will be appreciated that the term "cap" is only used as merely an example for the sake of clarity, which should not unduly limit the scope of such access points. A person skilled in the art will recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications of such access points.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "hollow container" as used herein refers to a vessel intended for containing or storing the aforesaid booster mixture, under defined and controlled physical and chemical conditions. The top part, the base part and the container body of the hollow container enable the hollow container to have a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. Optionally, the shape of the hollow container may be selected based on a desired volume and usage of the hollow container. For example, a cylindrical hollow container has more volume as compared to a cuboidal hollow container of same height and cross- sectional area. Optionally, the volume of the hollow container is from 1 millilitre (mL) up to 2000 mL. The volume of the hollow container may be for example, from 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 1500 mL up to 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 mL.

In an embodiment, the hollow container is fabricated from a material that is inert to the contents of the hollow container. In an example, the material used for fabrication may be stainless steel, other suitable metals or alloys, glass material, fibres, ceramic, plastic materials and/or combinations thereof. Moreover, the fabrication material is typically waterproof and strong enough to withstand abrasive effects of various biological, biochemical and/or mechanical processes, such as operating pressures, temperatures, chemical compositions of the content in the hollow container, and so forth. Typically, the hollow container has an adequate thickness to hold a volume of the booster mixture.

The term "releaser” as used herein refers to a flow control component. The releaser typically directs or controls the flow of fluid (liquid, gases, fluidized solids, or a combination thereof) opening, closing or partially obstructing a passage to the said fluid. The releaser typically releases the said fluid from a region of higher pressure to a region of lower pressure, when in operation (i.e., when opened). Optionally, the releaser is equal to or smaller in size as compared to the opening on the top part of the hollow container.

Optionally, the releaser is a valve. The valve may be arranged on the opening on the top part of the hollow container. In such case, the valve is smaller in size as compared to the said opening. Typically, the valve is a freely hinged flap that adjustably checks the flow of the fluid in one direction. The valves may be operated manually, for example by using a force or an external pressure, or automatically, on sensing a change in the environment, for example a pressure difference between two mediums. Optionally, valves are typically selected based on a temperature and pressure conditions of the packaged (or to be packaged) content inside the hollow container. Therefore, the valves may typically be manufactured from a metal or an alloy of metal(s), silicon, rubber, polymer, and the like. Optionally, the valve is a backpressure valve. Typically, a backpressure valve maintains a defined inlet pressure (or upstream pressure). In such case, the backpressure valve is a normally closed valve that provides an obstruction to the flow of fluids thereby regulating an upstream pressure. The backpressure valve opens up to provide pressure in order to draw the fluid off the hollow container.

Optionally, the releaser is a part of the top part. In such case, the releaser is equal in size to the opening on the top part of the hollow container. The releaser that is a part of the top part is fabricated as a thin wall configured to be pierced. The thin wall of releaser may typically be fabricated from a cellophane or elastic material such as a rubber, for example. Optionally, the releaser may contain screw thread type of attachment. In such case, when the releaser is opened then the apparatus is connected to another vessel, such as a bottle or glass, to transfer a part of the content of the hollow container to the said another vessel.

The tube extends through the releaser wherein one end of the tube is at the base part of the hollow container and the other end extends outwards from the top part of the hollow container. The tube has a base end and a top end contacting the base part and the top part, respectively. The tube is any type of a pipe that is configured to carry a fluidic content from the base end to the top end thereof upon application of a pressure gradient between the two ends thereof. Herein, the tube sucks a part of the content of the hollow container from for example a base thereof via the base end, and transports and/or release the said sucked part to a location, the top part for example. It will be appreciated that the tube is fabricated from a material (such as plastic, stainless steel, and the like) that is inert to the contents of the hollow container.

The hollow container contains a booster mixture comprising the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas. The first volume of mixture comprises the beverage concentrate and the first volume of gas dissolved in the beverage concentrate. The hollow container contains a mixture of the beverage concentrate and the gas pre-mixed together in a high pressure. The term ''mixture” as used herein refers to a mixture of a liquid phase implemented as the beverage concentrate and a gas implemented as the first volume of gas. The term "first volume of mixture" as used herein refers to a predefined volume of mixture obtained by mixing a predefined volume of the beverage concentrate and a predefined volume of gas. The term "first volume" as used herein refers to a starting or initial amount of any constituent(s), such as the beverage concentrate and the gas, required to form a desired amount of a resultant product, such as the mixture of the beverage concentrate and the gas. The beverage concentrate may be a viscous solution containing a consumer-specific ingredient in majority. Beneficially, the beverage concentrate reduces the weight and volume of the desired product. Additionally, beneficially, the beverage concentrate reduces the cost of the desired product. Optionally, the beverage concentrate may be required to be reconstituted, such as by addition of a solvent phase, at the time of usage. For example, sodas and soft drinks are produced as highly concentrated syrups that are later diluted with carbonated water before consumption or packaging. Optionally, the beverage concentrate includes, but is not limited to cola, vitamin, orange, alcohol, drugs and caffeine. Optionally, at least one of the first volume of gas and the second volume of gas is selected to be at least one of a carbon dioxide, a nitrous oxide. The carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is mostly added to soda and carbonated soft drinks. Optionally, CO2 is released into the hollow container with a pressure to mix with the beverage concentrate to form a first volume of mixture. It will be appreciated that the pressurized CO2 is cold and cools the beverage concentrate and/or the final beverage faster in the hollow container and/or any other container, respectively. Notably, in any container and under pressure, CO2 forms carbonic acid (H2CO3) with a liquid (such as water, soda water and alcohol) with a beneficial taste effect. As the pressure decreases, the carbonic acid is converted back to CO2 and water (H2O), as a result, microbubbles are formed inside the liquid (such as water, soda water and alcohol). The first volume of gas dissolves in the beverage concentrate and completely saturates the beverage concentrate inside the hollow container. Beneficially, the mixing of the beverage concentrate and the first volume of gas results in mixing of the gas with the beverage concentrate more efficiently and faster. Efficient mixing of gas with the beverage concentrate result in microbubble formation in the finished beverage, not just near the mouthpiece of the tube but evenly throughout the finished mixture.

Optionally, the beverage may be a lemonade, an alcoholic beverage with a mixture (gin-tonic) or without a mixture, ready-to-drink coffee, a fruit juice, a medicine, or a beverage in a small aerosol bottle. It will, however, be appreciated that the term "beverage" as used herein does not limit to consumable drinks, but used to cover any concentrated solution that may be used as it is, such as a creme in shaving foam, or reconstituted before use, such as sodas and cold drinks. In such case, the beverage concentrate may be a paint concentrate that is required to be mixed in a solvent (such as water or oil) to prepare an emulsion paint for use on walls.

The beverage concentrate is pressurized with the first volume of gas before adding the resultant first volume of mixture in the hollow container. In such manufacturing process, the first volume of gas dissolves in the beverage concentrate and completely saturates the beverage concentrate before filling the mixture thereof in the hollow container.

Moreover, the booster mixture comprises the aforesaid first volume of mixture mixed with the second volume of gas. Therefore, the volume of hollow container contains the beverage concentrate, the first volume of gas dissolved with the beverage concentrate to result in a first volume of mixture, and the second volume of gas (such as CO2, N2, N2O, and the like). The term "second volume" as used herein refers to an amount of a constituent, such as the gas, required to form a desired resultant product, wherein the second volume of gas may be different from the first volume of gas. Moreover, optionally, the gases used to constitute the first volume of gas and the second volume of gas may be different.

The second volume of gas creates a first pressure inside of the hollow container. The term "first pressure" as used herein refers to a pressure exerted by the second volume of gas on the hollow container and the constituents therein. The first pressure may be required to mix the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas.

Optionally, the first pressure in the hollow container is from 5 bars up to 100 bars. The first pressure is for example from 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 40, 60 or 80 bars up to 8, 9, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 bars. The first pressure can be for example from 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 bars up to 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 bars. Optionally, the first pressure may have different operational pressure ranges depending upon the viscosity of the beverage concentrate, a temperature, and the like. The first volume and the second volume fill the volume of space. It will be appreciated that the first volume of gas and the second volume of gas exert a pressure on each other as well as the hollow container and said pressure also contribute to a total pressure inside the hollow container. Notably, the first pressure is a measure of degree of mixing of the beverage concentrate, the first volume of gas and the second volume of gas at a given temperature. Typically, more gas, such as the first volume of gas or the second volume of gas, will dissolve in cold liquid, such as the beverage concentrate or the booster mixture respectively, under a high pressure. Beneficially, the first pressure ensures consistent quality of the booster mixture as well as the final beverage. Moreover, the first pressure of 5 to 100 bars enables the first and/or second volumes of gases (such as carbon dioxide) to be present in liquid, gas or compressible state at temperature ranging from -56.5°C (triple point) up to 31.0°C (critical point.

Optionally, the booster mixture further comprises water. Notably, water reacts with carbon dioxide to form carbonic acid, resulting in generation of small bubbles (microbubbles) in the mixture or the final beverage. Optionally, the mixture in the hollow container comprises coffee, alcohol, fruit concoction, and so forth. It will however be appreciated that the aforesaid constituents also contain water.

Moreover, the releaser is arranged to release at least part of the booster mixture outside of the apparatus via the tube when opened at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure. The releaser creates a pressure when operably coupled to another container (e.g., a bottle, a glass) containing a liquid (such as water, alcohol, soda water). The at least part of the booster mixture is released outside of the apparatus via the tube with a low pressure, i.e., the second pressure, when the releaser is opened upon the coupling thereof with the other container (e.g., a bottle, a glass). Optionally, the second pressure is in the range from 1 bar up to 10 bars. The second pressure is for example from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 bars up to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 bars. The second pressure results in generation of bubbles in the other container (e.g., a bottle, a glass) thereby making the dissolving process much faster with only a small amount of gas. Beneficially, a nozzle having a suitable diameter, not necessarily very thin, can be used to inject the mixture into the liquid, wherein the mixture is of a high viscosity since the carbon dioxide and the beverage concentrate have already reacted under pressure in the hollow container.

Optionally, the tube extends to the base part of the hollow container and the base part is dome-shaped for guiding away the tube from the top of the dome. Typically, the dome-shaped base of the hollow container is for structural support against the pressure within the hollow container, such that the hollow container (or the apparatus) can sit flat on a surface (such as a table-top, and the like). Beneficially, the dome-shaped base allows for the use of a thin layer of fabrication material for fabrication of the hollow container, contrary to the need for a thicker fabrication material for fabrication of hollow container with a flat base that would otherwise flex outwards. The tube extends from the releaser (or the valve) extends to the base part away from the dome-shaped base to access all the booster mixture of the hollow container without a potential wastage thereof.

Optionally, the valve further comprises a second tube arranged to extend outside of the hollow container. In such case, the first end of the tube extending through the releaser is attached to an end of the second tube. The other end of the second tube, opposite to the end attached to the first end of the tube extending through the releaser, may be a free end. In such case, the second tube may be employed to transfer the content of the hollow container to an end vessel (namely, second container as discussed later) such as a bottle, a glass tumbler, and the like. Optionally, the second tube may be similar in diameter, design or fabrication material thereof as compared to the tube extending from the releaser. Beneficially, the second tube enables transferring a part of the booster mixture to the end vessel, preferably at the bottom or end part thereof, to ensure efficient mixing of the part of the booster mixture with the contents of the end vessel. It will be appreciated that the first and second volumes of gases have more retention time in the end vessel when supplied at the bottom or end part of the second container.

Optionally, the top part of the hollow container comprises a guide arranged to guide the top part of the hollow container onto an opening of a second container. The term "guide" as used herein refers to a part that typically assists in directing the fluid flow from a source, such as the hollow container, to a destination, such as the second container. The second container is typically a vessel having a pressure lower than the pressure in the hollow container. The second container is intended to act as a storage or packaging means to provide the content of the hollow container to the end user typically by a reconstitution of the said content. The guide guides the top part of the hollow container to attach to the second container via an opening thereof in order to supply at least a part of the booster mixture to the second container. Optionally, the guide may vary in size and shape. More optionally, shapes of the guide may vary from an elongate pin-like structure to a wide cap-screw-like structure. It will be appreciated that the shape and size of the guide is complementary to the opening of the second container for an effective attachment thereof to the second container. Optionally, the guide may be coupled to an extension element to effectively fit the second container thereon.

Optionally, the volume of the second container may be similar to or more than the volume of the hollow container. In an example, the volume of the second container is from 1 mL up to 500000 mL. The volume of the second container can be from 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000, 10000 mL up to 100, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, 250000, 500000 mL. The second container contains water in a bottle for example, wherein the bottle has a volume from 30 mL to 1000 mL, for example. The bottle can have a volume from 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 mL up to 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 mL.

Optionally, the booster mixture is for dissolving in at least one of a water, a soda water. Optionally, the second container contains a liquid, such as water, soda water, alcohol, fruit juice, an energy booster, a pharmaceutical solution, and the like. At least a part of the booster mixture is supplied to the contents of the second container for dissolution and forming a final product, such as a beverage, an alcoholic drink, and so forth. Optionally, the ratio of the booster mixture and the liquid in the second container is in a range between 1:2 to 1 :60. The ratio of the booster mixture and the liquid in the second container may typically be from 1 :2, 1 :3, 1 :4, 1 :5, 1 : 10, 1 : 15, 1 :20, 1 :25, 1 :30, 1 :40 or 1 :50 up to 1 :3, 1 :4, 1 :5, 1: 10, 1 : 15, 1 :20, 1:25, 1 :30, 1:40, 1 :50 or 1 :60. In an example, the ratio of the booster mixture and the liquid in the second container is 1 : 57, where for example 7 ml of the booster mixture is added to 4 decalitre of water in the second container. In another example, the ratio of the booster mixture and the liquid in the second container is 1:60 prepared for a 1 litre bottle.

Optionally, the solubility of the carbon dioxide at 25°C in the hollow container is from 131 mol/L to 192 mol/L. The solubility of the carbon dioxide at 25°C may typically be from 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 or 190 mol/L up to 132, 133, 134, 135, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 or 192 mol/L. Notably, solubility of a component changes as a function of pressure and Henry's law constant, wherein solubility is represented as Solubility=pressure/Henry's law constant. Thus, for a smaller value of Henry's constant of a component, a better solubility is achieved for the said component in water. The Henry's law constant for CO2 in water at 25°C is 3.1xl0 ^-2 . It will be appreciated that the Henry's law constant is also small for alcohol, vitamins, caffeine, some drugs, and the like, thus the solubility of the alcohol, vitamins, caffeine, some drugs, and the like is better in water.

Optionally, a partial pressure of carbon dioxide is in the range of 4 bars up to 8 bars. Partial pressure of carbon dioxide refers to the total pressure exerted by the carbon dioxide gas on the walls of the hollow container in case other gases are also present in the hollow container. The partial pressure of carbon dioxide is for example from 4, 5, 6 or 7 bars up to 5, 6, 7 or 8 bars.

The present disclosure also relates to the method as described above. Various embodiments and variants disclosed above apply mutatis mutandis to the method.

The method comprises pressurizing a beverage concentrate with a first volume of gas to create a first volume of mixture, adding the first volume of mixture into the hollow container and adding the second volume of gas into the hollow container to create a first pressure inside the hollow container.

Optionally, the beverage concentrate is pressurized with the first volume of gas at a third pressure and the third pressure is from 8 bars up to 25 bars. The term "third pressure" as used herein refers to a predefined pressure required to dissolve the first volume of gas in the beverage concentrate. The third pressure typically enables saturation of the beverage concentrate with the first volume of gas. Optionally, the beverage concentrate and the first volume of gas are pressurized in the hollow container. Optionally, the beverage concentrate and the first volume of gas are pressurized outside the hollow container and then transferred into the hollow container. The third pressure is for example from 8, 9, 10, 15 or 20 bars up to 9, 10, 15, 20 or 25 bars.

Optionally, the beverage concentrate and the second volume of gas is filled in the hollow container by a cold-fill process. In such case, the temperature of the second volume of gas is lowered below a boiling point thereof. The second volume of gas becomes a liquid at atmospheric pressure. The beverage concentrate and the second volume of gas are cooled to a low temperature, for example from -230°C up to -185°C in case fluorocarbon is used as the second volume of gas. The beverage concentrate and the second volume of gas are cooled to a low temperature from -230, -220, -210, -200 or -190°C up to -210, -200, - 190 or -185°C. The cooled beverage concentrate is poured into the hollow container and the second volume of gas is added. Sufficient time is given for the second volume of gas to partially vaporise, in order to expel the air present in the hollow container. Subsequently, the valve is fitted on to the hollow container which is placed into a hot water bath so that the contents are heated in order to check any leakage and strength of the hollow container. Typically, a dry ice-acetone bath is used to obtain the desired low temperature for laboratory scale preparation whereas refrigeration equipment is used for the large-scale production of aerosols.

Optionally, the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas is filled in the hollow container by a pressure-fill process. In such case, the aerosols containing a hydrocarbon propellant are filled in the hollow container. The first volume of mixture is placed into the hollow container and the valve is sealed. The second volume of gas is forced through the valve under pressure. Subsequently, the hollow container is immersed in a hot water bath in order to check any leakage and strength of the container. It is essential that the air present in the hollow container must be expelled before filling the contents into the hollow container. Optionally, the method further comprises storing the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas in the hollow container for at least 24 hours. Herein, the booster mixture comprising the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas are stored in the hollow container for at least 24 hours before transferring at least a part of the booster mixture to another vessel. Storing the booster mixture comprising the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas in the hollow container for at least 24 hours results in more homogenous carbonated viscous liquid product, when the booster mixture is transferred to another vessel comprising selected liquid. Also, storing the booster mixture for at least 24 hours enables better microbubble formation on releasing the booster mixture into another vessel comprising the selected liquid.

Optionally, the method further comprises pressurising the beverage concentrate with a third volume of gas before pressurizing the beverage concentrate with the first volume of gas. Optionally, the third volume of gas may be similar or different from the first and/or second volume of gas. Moreover, the gases itself may be dissimilar. The third volume of gas may enhance saturation of the beverage concentrate before filling up the hollow container. Beneficially, the third volume of gas provides counter pressure during packaging resulting in the third volume of gas to occupy the headspace of the hollow container thereby maintaining carbonation of the beverage concentrate. The third volume of gas displaces oxygen in the headspace of the hollow container. Additionally, the beverage concentrate mixes with the third volume of gas while being dispensed from the hollow container in a foamy (or frothy), steady and controlled stream without any ingress of atmospheric air to maintain sterile conditions inside the hollow container. Notably, the said process makes the beverage more acidic thereby enhancing the taste and flavour and preserve the beverage for a longer time. Optionally, at least one of the first volume of gas, the second volume of gas and the third volume of gas is selected to be at least one of a carbon dioxide, a nitrous oxide. In an example, each of the first volume of gas, the second volume of gas and the third volume of gas is carbon dioxide. In another example, the first volume of gas and the second volume of gas are carbon dioxide, and the third volume of gas is nitrous oxide. Beneficially, carbon dioxide maintains the carbonation in the beverage concentrate, creates effervescence (or fizz), provides a sensory experience and preserves the beverage concentrate. Notably, nitrogen or nitrous oxide produce smaller bubbles. Moreover, nitrogen or nitrous oxide is more environment friendly, approved for use in food grade products, and highly soluble in most of the solvents. It will be appreciated that the use of carbon dioxide, a nitrous oxide or any other suitable gas is done particularly efficiently to save costs, environment and ensure high mixing of the said gas with the beverage concentrate.

Optionally, the first pressure in the hollow container is from 5 bars up to 100 bars. The first pressure in the hollow container can be from 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 bars up to 20, 30, 40, 50 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 bars.

In a first exemplary implementation, the hollow container is assembled in a bottle (apparatus) using Bag-on-Valve techniques. Bag-on-Valve technology is a packaging technology wherein a liquid is provided in a bag packaged in a bottle and thus is not in direct contact with the bottle. The first volume of gas (carbon dioxide) and the beverage concentrate is pressurized in a bag, and the third volume of gas (propellant) is provided in the bottle outside the bag containing the first volume of gas (carbon dioxide) and the beverage concentrate. The pressure in the bottle containing the third volume of gas (propellant) is in a range of 1 to 2 bar. Beneficially, such Bag-on-Valve type apparatus finds a number of potential applications using both liquid and viscous products with an efficient product delivery (up to 100%) while increasing the shelf life of the product without the need for any preservatives. The Bag-on-Valve type apparatus, therefore, provides a superior form of spray dispensing that is particularly valuable in high quality and high purity products such as saline solution formulations, skin & wound care products, cosmetics and foodstuffs. Additionally, the spray arrangement used with the Bag- on-Valve type apparatus reduces spray noise. Moreover, the Bag-on- Valve type apparatus provides less-chilling product discharge for greater user comfort. Furthermore, the Bag-on-Valve type apparatus are fully recyclable and uses eco-friendly propellants.

In a second exemplary implementation, the apparatus is implemented as a spray bottle comprising the hollow container of volume 7 mL. The said volume contains a mixture of carbon dioxide gas as the second volume of gas and the first volume of mixture comprising beverage concentrate (the beverage concentrate includes a small portion of water). The second container (not part of this invention), having a volume of 4 dL, is a bottle containing water, for example. The hollow container transfers a part of the mixture of carbon dioxide gas and the beverage concentrate to the contents of the second container in a predefined ratio, such as for example of 1 :57, 1 : 16, and the like. In this case, the contents of the hollow container comprise a pressurized mixture of the beverage concentrate, water as needed (small portion), carbon dioxide gas, dissolved carbon dioxide gas, and carbonic acid (reacted or possibly added), while the volume of the second container comprises water. The resultant final beverage is an aerated (carbonated) beverage containing carbon dioxide gas, water and carbonic acid.

In a third exemplary implementation, the end user puts pure water in the second container such as a bottle. The said second container is attached to the apparatus of the present disclosure at its opening, and said second container is turned upside down. The apparatus is operated to spray a part of the booster mixture therein into the second container via the apparatus cap. The booster mixture is reconstituted with the pure water to result in the final beverage in the second container.

In a fourth exemplary implementation, a hand-held mini-siphon is filled with the booster mixture comprising of the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas. The hand-held mini-siphon (as shown in FIG. 7 below) is used directly to spray the booster mixture into a second container. The second container comprises liquid, which may be selected for example from a water, a lemonade or a soda water. After spraying the booster mixture from the hand-held mini-siphon to the liquid of the second container, a drink for drinking is obtained. Typically, the handheld mini-siphon comprises a releaser, a mouth-piece and a neck-piece for directing the sprayed booster mixture to the second container, wherein the hand-held mini siphon is used for spraying the booster mixture outside the hand-held mini-siphon.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises freezing the first volume of mixture to form frozen granules of the first volume of mixture and freezing the second volume of gas to form frozen granules of the second volume of gas before adding the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas into the hollow container. In an embodiment, at least one of the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas is in a form of frozen granules. The first volume of mixture is cooled into frozen granules and the second volume of gas is cooled into frozen granules. The frozen granules of the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas are added into the hollow container. In such case, the frozen granules of the first volume of mixture and the frozen granules of the second volume of gas are mixed together before filling the hollow container with the mentioned frozen granules. For example, the frozen granules of the first volume of the mixture are mixed together with frozen granules of carbon dioxide before filling the hollow container. It will be appreciated that as the temperature of the hollow container, containing the mixture of the frozen granules of the first volume of mixture and the frozen granules of the carbon dioxide, increases to room temperature, the hollow container contains a mixture of carbon dioxide (gas and liquid phases) and first volume of mixture and a high pressure inside the hollow container. Notably, as long as there is enough carbon dioxide in liquid phase, the pressure inside the cylinder is contributed by a gas pressure of the carbon dioxide. In an example, at a temperature of 10°C, the pressure inside the hollow container is 45.1 bar, at a temperature of 20°C, the pressure inside the hollow container is 57.3 bar, and at a temperature of 30°C, the pressure inside the hollow container is 73.8 bar. Notably, at a temperature of more than 31°C, the pressure inside the hollow container is above 73.8 bar. In such instance, at the pressure above 73.8 bar, the carbon dioxide becomes a supercritical fluid. It will be appreciated that a person skilled in art would know various ways and corresponding safety measures to be followed while filling the hollow container with the mixture of the frozen granules of the first volume of mixture and the frozen granules of the carbon dioxide. Notably, the disclosed method can be used not only for soft drinks and alcoholic drinks but also for the distribution and dosing of, for example, vitamin drinks, caffeinated drinks, medicinal drinks and so forth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a flowchart 100 depicting steps of a method of producing a booster mixture comprising a first volume of mixture and a second volume of gas in a hollow container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 102, a beverage concentrate is pressurized with a first volume of gas to create a first volume of mixture. At step 104, the first volume of mixture is added into the hollow container. At step 106, the second volume of gas is added into the hollow container to create a first pressure inside the hollow container.

The steps 102, 104 and 106 are only illustrative and other alternatives can also be provided where one or more steps are added, one or more steps are removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, shown is an illustration of an apparatus 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus 200 comprises a hollow container 202. The hollow container 202 comprises a base part 204; a top part 206 opposite to the base part 204 having an opening 208; a container body 210 arranged between the base part 204 and the top part 206 to form together with the base part 204 and the top part 206 the hollow container 202 defining a volume of space 212; a releaser 214 arranged on the opening 208; a tube 216 extending from the releaser 214 towards the base part 204. The hollow container 202 comprises a booster mixture comprising a first volume of mixture provided inside of the hollow container 202. The mixture comprises a beverage concentrate and a first volume of gas dissolved in the beverage concentrate. The booster mixture also comprises the second volume of gas provided inside of the hollow container 202 to create a first pressure inside of the hollow container 202, wherein the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas fills the volume of space. The mixture comprises a beverage concentrate and a first volume of gas dissolved in the beverage concentrate. The releaser 214 is arranged to release at least part of the booster mixture outside of the apparatus 200 via the tube 216 when opened at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

Referring to FIG. 3, shown is an illustration of a booster mixture 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The booster mixture 300 comprises a first volume of mixture 302 provided inside of the hollow container, such as the hollow container 202 of FIG. 2. The mixture 302 comprises a beverage concentrate 304 and a first volume of gas 306 dissolved in the beverage concentrate 304. The booster mixture also comprises the second volume of gas 308 provided inside of the hollow container, such as the hollow container 202 of FIG. 2, to create a first pressure inside of the hollow container 202, such as the hollow container 202 of FIG. 2, wherein the first volume of mixture 302 and the second volume of gas 308 fills the volume of space, such as the volume of space 212 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an illustration of an apparatus 402 coupled to a second container 404, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein, the second container 404 is implemented as a glass tumbler containing a liquid. The apparatus 402 is configured to provide the booster mixture therefrom through a second tube 406 into the liquid in the second container 404.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an illustration of an apparatus 502 coupled to the second container 504, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein, the second container 504 is implemented as a bottle containing a liquid. The second container 504 is attached to the apparatus 502 at its opening 506, and the second container 504 is turned upside down. As shown, the top part 508 of the hollow container 510 of the apparatus 502 comprises a guide 512 arranged to guide the top part 508 of the hollow container 510 onto the opening 506 of the second container 504. The second container 504 is coupled to the apparatus 502 along a central axis as indicated by dashed line A-A'. The apparatus 502 is operated to spray the booster mixture therein into the second container 504 through the opening 506. The booster mixture is reconstituted with the liquid in the second container 504 to result in the final beverage in the second container 504. Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an illustration of an apparatus 600 implemented as a bag-on-valve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The booster mixture is provided in the valve bag 604 packaged in the bottle 602 and thus is not in direct contact with the bottle 602. The bag 604 is attached to the valve 606. The valve 606 creates a pressure of approximately 1.5 - 2 bar in the bottle 602 while pressing the valve 602 closed in the mouth 608 of the bottle 602 (as shown in A in FIG. 6). The compressed air left in the bottle 602 thus remains between the valve bag 604 and the bottle 602, whereupon it compresses the valve bag 604 into a pile (as shown in C in FIG. 6). The bottle 602 is then filled through a valve 606, and as the bag 604 expands, the air trapped between the bottle 602 and the bag 604 is compressed into a pile and the pressure in the bottle 602 increases by more than 10 bar (as shown in D in FIG. 6). The final pressure of the bottle 602 depends on which the intermediate pressure was between the bag 604 and bottle 602 before filling and how much material to be filled is filled into the bag 604.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown an illustration of an apparatus 700 implemented as a hand-held mini-siphon for filling a second container (not shown) with a booster mixture in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. The hand-held mini-siphon comprises a hollow container 702, a mouth-piece 704, a neck-piece 706 and a releaser 708 for releasing at least part of the pressurized booster mixture outside of the apparatus 700 and to control the flow out. The booster mixture comprises the first volume of mixture and the second volume of gas.

Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non- exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.