Bacteriostatic Polymer Tank for Hygienic Infusion Beverage Machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion beverage machines suffer from microbial proliferation in the tank due to stagnant infusion fluid, leading to frequent cleaning and sanitization needs, and existing solutions like antibacterial polymers and bacteriostatic additives fail to effectively inhibit microbial growth.
Innovation Solution
A tank made of polymeric materials like polypropylene or polyethylene, loaded with bacteriostatic agent-containing masterbatch grains, which inhibit microbial growth and are thermally insulated to prevent microbial proliferation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tank is made of conventional polymeric material without additives, then the manufacturing cost is low and the material is easy to process, but microbial colonies develop rapidly in the stagnant infusion fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by incorporating masterbatch grains containing bacteriostatic agents into the polymeric material matrix. This creates a composite tank material that combines the base polymer (polypropylene or polyethylene) with antimicrobial components, providing both structural integrity and microbial inhibition properties simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the bacteriostatic agents within discrete masterbatch grains distributed throughout the tank material. This localized approach allows the antimicrobial function to be embedded specifically where needed (in the tank material) without requiring the entire system to be complex or expensive.
2Reliability
If cleaning fluid is circulated frequently through the machine, then microbial flora is partially removed from the tank and hydraulic circuits, but the cleaning activity must be repeated regularly and does not inhibit proliferation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-incorporating bacteriostatic agents into the tank material during manufacturing. This proactive measure creates continuous microbial inhibition before contamination can establish itself, eliminating the need for repeated reactive cleaning cycles and reducing maintenance frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by embedding the cleaning/inhibition function directly into the tank material itself. The tank becomes self-cleaning in a sense, as the bacteriostatic agents continuously prevent microbial adhesion and proliferation on its surfaces, reducing dependence on external cleaning interventions.
3Reliability
If antibacterial polymers or bacteriostatic additives are used in the tank, then microbial growth should be inhibited, but existing solutions fail to effectively prevent proliferation in infusion beverage machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using masterbatch grains that are distributed throughout the tank material. These grains act as discrete, replaceable units of antimicrobial activity. The approach treats the antimicrobial function as a consumable component embedded in the structure, similar to disposable elements, which can be effectively manufactured and distributed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical form and distribution method of bacteriostatic agents. Instead of using conventional uniformly mixed additives that are difficult to process, the invention uses discrete masterbatch grains with specific size ranges (0.1-5mm), transforming the additive from a chemical parameter issue to a physical distribution issue that is easier to manufacture.
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
The tank effectively prevents microbial growth, maintains hygiene, reduces contamination risk, and enhances the quality and longevity of infusion beverages by continuously releasing bacteriostatic agents.
Implementation Method 1
The tank (2) is made of a polymeric material, preferably polypropylene or polyethylene, to which an additive comprising a bacteriostatic agent has been added
Implementation Method 2
a tank made of a polymeric material loaded with the additive comprising the bacteriostatic agent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a machine (1) for dispensing an infusion beverage, such as coffee, chamomile, tea, or herbal tea. This machine comprises a tank ( 2 ), a pump unit and a dispensing unit (3). The tank (2) is suitable for containing an infusion fluid and is made of a polymeric material loaded with an additive comprising a bacteriostatic agent.