Method and device for foam generation by dispersion of bubbles

A method of packaging a beverage having a gas dissolved therein in a sealed container for subsequent generation of a foaming dispersion of bubbles in said beverage upon said container being opened, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

• providing a sealable beverage container which is initially open, the interior of which provides a primary chamber;
• providing a device comprising:
• a secondary chamber;
• a first valve in fluid communication with said secondary chamber in a normally closed state, said first valve being responsive to the pressure of a fluid at the exterior of said device and changing from said closed state to an open state to admit an amount of the fluid from the exterior of said device through said first valve and in to said secondary chamber when the pressure of fluid at the exterior of said device exceeds the internal pressure of said secondary chamber by a first predetermined amount, thereby to establish a reserve of pressurized fluid within said secondary chamber;
• and
• a second valve in fluid communication with said secondary chamber and said reserve of pressurized fluid within said secondary chamber, said second valve having an outlet including a flow-restricting portion and being in a normally closed state, said second valve being responsive to said internal pressure of said secondary chamber and changing from said closed state to an open state to release at least a portion of said reserve of pressurized fluid from said secondary chamber to pass outwardly into said liquid at the exterior of said device through said flow-restricting portion when said internal pressure of said secondary chamber exceeds the pressure of said liquid at the exterior of said device by a second predetermined amount;
• placing said device in said primary chamber of said container;
• prior or subsequent to placing said device in said open container, introducing said beverage in to said primary chamber;
• closing and sealing said container;
• pressurizing the contents of said primary container above the internal pressure of said secondary chamber by at least said first predetermined amount, thereby causing an amount of fluid from said primary chamber to be admitted through said first valve of said device and into said secondary chamber to establish a reserve of pressurized fluid within said secondary chamber;
• and
• forcing out at least a portion of said reserve of pressurized fluid from said secondary chamber into said beverage in said primary chamber through said flow-restricting portion of said second valve to assist in the generation of a foaming dispersion of bubbles in said beverage, when said container is subsequently opened to depressurise the contents of said primary chamber to a pressure below the internal pressure of the secondary chamber by at least said second predetermined amount.

A beverage package comprising:

• a closed and sealed container forming a primary chamber which contains a quantity of beverage having a gas dissolved therein;
• and
• a device located in said primary chamber for generating a foaming dispersion of bubbles in the beverage, wherein said device comprises:
• an internal, secondary chamber;
• a first valve in fluid communication with said secondary chamber, said first valve being in a normally closed state and changing from said closed state to a temporary open state for admitting an amount of fluid from the exterior of said device through said first valve and into said secondary chamber when the pressure in said primary chamber exceeds the pressure in said secondary chamber by a first predetermined amount, thereby establishing a reserve of pressurized fluid within said secondary chamber;
• and
• a second valve in fluid communication with said secondary chamber and said reserve of pressurized fluid within said secondary, chamber, said second valve having an outlet including a flow-restricting portion and being in a normally closed state, said second valve being responsive to said internal pressure of said secondary chamber and changing from said closed state to an open state for releasing at least a portion of said reserve of pressurized fluid from said secondary chamber into said beverage in said primary chamber through said flow-restricting portion when said internal pressure of said secondary chamber exceeds the pressure in said primary chamber by a second predetermined amount, said release of at least a portion of said reserve of pressurized fluid from said secondary chamber by said second valve and passage of said reserve of pressurized fluid through said flow-restricting portion into said liquid at the exterior of said device assisting in the generation of a foaming dispersion of bubbles in the liquid at the exterior of said device.