Adjustable Mixing Cup for On-the-Go Beverage Blending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage mixing solutions often require additional containers and steps for preparation, lack adjustability in flavor concentration, and are complex or require custom primary containers, making them impractical for mixing beverages on the go.
Innovation Solution
A secondary mixing cup that attaches to a standard primary container, allowing simultaneous dispensing and mixing of primary and secondary liquids through a mixing chamber, with adjustable flow control to vary the flavor concentration, using rigid components and a coupling mechanism that fits standard containers without requiring modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a mixing cup is designed to attach to a standard beverage container, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to adjust flavoring concentration may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing cup is divided into separate functional components: a cup-shaped body for holding secondary liquid, a lid assembly with flow control mechanism, and a coupling interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall functionality and adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control mechanism includes an adjustable flow control member that can be positioned at different locations within the flow path, allowing dynamic adjustment of secondary liquid flow rate. This enables variable flavoring concentration while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid components are used for the mixing cup body, then manufacturing precision and structural integrity are improved, but the ease of operation may be reduced due to potential difficulty in assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling interface features a coupling member that fits within a coupling recess, with the lid assembly nesting onto the cup-shaped body. This nested structure allows rigid components to be manufactured with high precision while maintaining ease of assembly through a straightforward insert-and-secure process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting through user interaction with the flow control member, eliminating the need for complex external adjustment mechanisms or specialized assembly tools, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite rigid component construction.
3Productivity
If the mixing chamber is positioned to receive liquids from both containers simultaneously, then the mixing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber combines the primary liquid from the beverage container and secondary liquid from the mixing cup into a single mixing zone. This merging of liquid streams achieves efficient mixing while avoiding the need for separate mixing mechanisms or multiple chambers, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber acts as an intermediary element between the two liquid sources, facilitating their combination and mixing. This single intermediary chamber provides efficient mixing functionality without requiring complex multi-component systems or additional mechanical mixing devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient, on-the-go mixing of beverages without additional containers, allowing for adjustable flavor concentration and reducing the risk of premature degradation of mixed beverage characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a user draws both liquids simultaneously through a mixing chamber and out of the container by sucking on the dispensing outlet
Implementation Method 2
the primary and secondary liquids are entrained and mixed in the mixing chamber as they are dispensed to the user
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing cup for mixing and dispensing a mixed beverage is described. The mixing cup is designed to attach externally to a primary container that holds a primary liquid. The mixing cup contains a secondary liquid in fluid separation from the primary liquid until the two liquids are mixed, as a result of the user drawing the primary liquid from the primary container, in a mixing chamber of the mixing cup and the mixture is dispensed to the user. The flow of the secondary liquid into the mixing chamber may be adjustable by the user.