Carbonated beverage nucleation accessory

Abstract

A carbonated beverage nucleation device comprising a solid, non-reactive, non-porous, non-erodible and food-safe three-dimensional body having a top, bottom, vertical central axis oriented top to bottom, and at least a bilateral symmetry about the vertical central axis. Integral recessed, gas bubble nucleation sites are cut from at least an outer surface of the body by mechanical or chemical means. Contacting the body with a beverage causes gas dissolved in the beverage to form bubbles, attach to and then detach from recessed nucleation sites. This increases the quality and quantity of head froth.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A carbonated beverage nucleation device comprising a:
 a. Solid, non-reactive, non-porous, non-erodible and food-safe three-dimensional body having a
 i. Top, 
 ii. Bottom, 
 iii. Vertical central axis oriented top to bottom, and 
 iv. Bilateral and optionally rotational symmetry about the vertical central axis; 
   b. Substantially smooth through hole connecting the top to the bottom through the vertical central axis, this through hole having a substantially uniform diameter along its length and defining an inner surface of the body, from which is optionally cut at least one line and/or area, these lines and/or areas having a depth, thereby creating recessed gas bubble nucleation sites; and a   c. Substantially smooth outer surface from which is cut at least one line and/or area, these lines and/or areas having a depth, thereby creating recessed gas bubble nucleation sites.   
     
     
         2 . The carbonated beverage nucleation device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is made from a material which is denser than the selected carbonated beverage. 
     
     
         3 . The carbonated beverage nucleation device of  claim 2 , wherein the material is a thermoplastic, metallic, a ceramic or stone. 
     
     
         4 . The carbonated beverage nucleation device of  claim 3 , wherein the thermoplastic is polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene or polypropylene. 
     
     
         5 . The carbonated beverage nucleation device of  claim 3 , wherein the metallic is stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper or copper alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The carbonated beverage nucleation device of  claim 3 , wherein the ceramic is a soda lime glass or a borosilicate. 
     
     
         7 . The carbonated beverage nucleation device of  claim 3 , wherein the stone is soapstone. 
     
     
         8 . The carbonated beverage nucleation device of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the through hole is 1-1.25 cm. 
     
     
         9 . The carbonated beverage nucleation device of  claim 8 , wherein the inner surface defined by the through hole has a plurality of gas nucleation sites cut thereinto. 
     
     
         10 . The carbonated beverage nucleation device of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting is performed by mechanical or chemical means. 
     
     
         11 . A method for improving the taste, texture and volume of a head of gas bubbles in a carbonated beverage, comprising:
 a. Providing a solid, non-reactive, non-porous, non-erodible and food-safe three-dimensional body having a top, bottom, vertical central axis oriented top to bottom, bilateral and optionally rotational symmetry about the vertical central axis, this body further comprising a substantially smooth through hole connecting the top to the bottom through the vertical central axis, this through hole having a substantially uniform diameter along its length and defining an inner surface of the body from which is optionally cut at least one line and/or area, each such line and/or area having a depth, thereby creating recessed gas bubble nucleation sites, this body further still comprising a substantially smooth outer surface from which is cut at least one line and/or area, each such line and/or area having a depth, thereby creating recessed gas bubble nucleation sites.   b. Providing a carbonated beverage;   c. Contacting this body with the carbonated beverage;   d. Allowing gas bubbles to attach to the recesses;   e. Allowing gas bubbles to detach from the recesses and rise to an upper surface of the carbonated beverage, creating a head of froth;   f. Consuming the carbonated beverage;   g. Removing the body from the carbonated beverage;   h. Sanitizing the body.   
     
     
         12 . A method of making a nucleation device for a carbonated beverage, comprising the steps of:
 a. Selecting a solid, non-reactive, non-porous, non-erodible and food-safe material which is denser than the selected carbonated beverage;   b. Shaping the material into a body having a:
 i. Top 
 ii. Bottom 
 iii. Vertical central axis oriented top to bottom 
 iv. Bilateral and optionally rotational symmetry about the vertical central axis 
   c. Creating a substantially smooth through hole connecting the top to the bottom through the vertical central axis, this through hole having a substantially uniform diameter along its length and defining an inner surface of the body;   d. Creating a substantially smooth outer surface; and   e. Cutting a plurality of lines and/or areas out of the outer surface and, optionally, from the inner surface, these lines and/or areas having a depth, thereby creating recessed gas bubble nucleation sites.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the material is a thermoplastic, metallic, a ceramic or stone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the thermoplastic is polyethylene terephthalate or high-density polyethylene or polypropylene. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the metallic is stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper or copper alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ceramic is a soda lime glass or a borosilicate. 
     
     
         17 . The method device of  claim 13 , wherein the stone is soapstone. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the diameter of the through hole is 1-1.25 cm. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the cutting is performed by mechanical means. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the cutting is performed by chemical means.