# US 12,759,807 B2 · Systems and techniques for assembling and introducing cartridges into beverage containers during packaging > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,759,807 B2 - Document ID: US12759807B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 19/353,283 - Filed: 2025-10-08 - Published: 2026-04-09 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2024-10-09 - Assignees: Beverage Booster Inc. - Applicants: Beverage Booster Inc. - Inventors: Matthew Alex Cutter; Alexis S. Foreman; Zack Savarise - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759807B2 ## CPC - B65G 47/846: {Star-shaped wheels or wheels equipped with article-engaging elements} - B65G 47/34: Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor (B65G47/256 takes precedence) - B65B 7/26: by closing hinged lids - B65B 29/025: {packaging infusion material into pods} - B65B 31/025: {specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers (B65B31/021, B65B31/022 take precedence)} - B65B 31/04: Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied - B65B 55/12: Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging - B65G 43/08: Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed or discharged {(and controlling the discharging devices B65G47/42)} - B65G 51/02: Directly conveying the articles, e.g. slips, sheets, stockings, containers or workpieces, by flowing gases - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract Systems and methods for assembling and introducing cartridges containing remediating component(s) into packaged beverages are provided herein. In particular, a transport system for transporting sealed cartridges to an introduction system for delivery into beverage containers is provided herein. The transport system may receive cartridges from the source, via an inlet, into a straight-line tube having a diameter approximately 1.1 times a width of the cartridges. A transition guide fluidly connects the straight-line tube to the introduction system and may include an outlet opening through which cartridges are dispensed. The transport system includes assist jets configured to inject inert gas into the straight-line tube to propel cartridges, pressure sensors disposed along the transport tube to detect cartridge presence or movement, and a control system operably coupled to the pressure sensors and assist jets to modulate gas injection and control delivery of the cartridges to the introduction system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A transport system for conveying cartridges from a source to an introduction system for introduction of the cartridges into a beverage container during a packaging process of the beverage container, the transport system comprising: an inlet comprising an inlet opening configured to receive cartridges from the source; a straight-line tube having an inner diameter that is 1.1 to 1.3 times a width of the cartridges, wherein the straight-line tube comprises one or more sensor slots disposed along a top surface of the straight-line tube, the one or more sensor slots configured to receive at least one pressure sensor for detecting the presence or movement of cartridges in the straight-line tube; a first elbow fluidly connecting the inlet to the straight-line tube; and a transition guide fluidly connecting the straight-line tube to the introduction system, the transition guide comprising an outlet opening through which the cartridges are dispensed into the introduction system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The transport system of claim 1, further comprising a second elbow fluidly connecting the straight-line tube to the transition guide. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The transport system of claim 1, further comprising a control system operably coupled to the at least one pressure sensor, the control system being configured to receive signals from the at least one pressure sensor indicative of cartridge movement within the straight-line tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The transport system of claim 1, further comprising at least one assist jet configured to inject a gas into the straight-line tube to propel the cartridges through the transport system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The transport system of claim 4, wherein the at least one assist jet comprises a first assist jet positioned adjacent the inlet and a second assist jet positioned adjacent the transition guide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The transport system of claim 4, wherein: the control system is operably coupled to the at least one assist jet and is configured to modulate operation of the at least one assist jet in response to the signals from the at least one pressure sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The transport system of claim 6, wherein modulation of the at least one assist jet by the control system is configured to adjust a flow rate of gas into the straight-line tube so as to control a speed of the cartridges through the transport system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The transport system of claim 6, wherein modulation of the at least one assist jet by the control system is configured to selectively increase propulsion when a cartridge is sensed at the inlet and decrease propulsion when a cartridge is sensed adjacent the transition guide. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The transport system of claim 6, wherein the control system is configured to synchronize modulation of the at least one assist jet with operation of the introduction system such that the cartridges are released into the introduction system at a controlled rate corresponding to movement of a plurality of beverage containers during the packaging process. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The transport system of claim 4, wherein the gas injection by the at least one assist jet is an inert gas selected from the group consisting of: nitrogen or carbon dioxide. ### Claim 11 A method of transporting cartridges from a source to an introduction system during a packaging process, the method comprising: receiving cartridges from the source at an inlet of a transport system; directing the cartridges from the inlet into a straight-line tube via a first elbow, the straight-line tube having an inner diameter that is 1.1 to 1.3 times a width of the cartridges; propelling the cartridges through the straight-line tube by injecting a gas into the straight-line tube through at least one assist jet, wherein: the straight-line tube comprises one or more sensor slots disposed along a top surface of the straight-line tube, the one or more sensor slots configured to receive at least one pressure sensor for detecting the presence or movement of the cartridges in the straight-line tube; and operation of the at least one assist jet is based on signals from the at least one pressure sensor; and dispensing the cartridges from a transition guide of the transport system into the introduction system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting, by at least one pressure sensor disposed along the straight-line tube, the presence or movement of the cartridges in the straight-line tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: transmitting, by the at least one pressure sensor, a signal to a control system; and modulating, by the control system, operation of the at least one assist jet in response to the signal, wherein modulating the operation of the at least one assist jet comprises at least one of: adjusting a flow rate of the gas injected into the straight-line tube to control a speed of the cartridges through the transport system; or selectively increasing propulsion when a cartridge is detected at the inlet and decreasing propulsion when a cartridge is detected adjacent the transition guide. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The transport system of claim 1, wherein: the one or more sensor slots comprise a plurality of sensor slots spaced along the straight-line tube; and the plurality of sensor slots are disposed at spaced intervals along the top surface of the straight-line tube. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The transport system of claim 1, wherein the straight-line tube comprises one or more assist jet slots configured to receive at least one assist jet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The transport system of claim 1, further comprising at least one vent positioned along the straight-line tube and configured to discharge excess gas during propulsion of the cartridges through the transport system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The transport system of claim 1, wherein: the straight-line tube comprises a plurality of straight-line tubes; and a final straight-line tube of the plurality of straight-line tubes connects to the transition guide and is oriented at an angle of at least 10 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of a conveyor line carrying the beverage containers during the packaging process. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The transport system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensor slots comprise a first sensor slot positioned adjacent the inlet and a second sensor slot positioned adjacent the transition guide. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising discharging excess gas from the straight-line tube through at least one vent positioned along the straight-line tube during propulsion of the cartridges. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein modulating operation of the at least one assist jet comprises maintaining the cartridges within a predetermined speed range through the transport system.