Portable Beverage Additive Dispensing With Level-Based Concentration Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable hydration containers lack the ability to dynamically adjust the composition of consumable liquids by periodically dispensing additives in variable volumes or concentrations based on user needs and preferences, requiring users to carry multiple containers or manually mix different liquids throughout the day.

Innovation Solution

A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus with a dispensing assembly that uses a level sensor and controller to dispense additives into a consumable liquid, allowing for variable and targeted concentrations based on the liquid level, storage capacity, and identification information of additive vessels, enabling continuous adjustment of the beverage's nutritional and chemical makeup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single portable hydration container is used, then portability and simplicity are improved, but the ability to provide variable additive concentrations and compositions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidvariable additive concentrations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the concentration and type of additives dispensed into the consumable liquid based on real-time liquid level measurements. The controller modifies dispensing parameters (volume, frequency, concentration) as the liquid level changes, enabling a single container to provide variable compositions without requiring multiple containers or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple containers are carried to achieve variable additive compositions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable additive compositionsVSAvoidmultiple containers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple additive dispensing functions into a single portable container system. Multiple additive sources are integrated within one container, with a unified control system that manages dispensing from different additives based on liquid level, eliminating the need to carry and manually manage multiple separate containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single container system performs multiple functions: storing consumable liquid, holding multiple additive types, measuring liquid level, controlling dispensing timing and concentration, and maintaining hygiene. This multi-functional integration replaces the need for multiple specialized containers while improving portability and simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual mixing of different liquids is performed throughout the day, then variable additive compositions are achieved, but loss of time and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadditive compositionsVSAvoidmanual mixing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own liquid level and triggering additive dispensing without user intervention. The level sensor continuously measures the consumable liquid level, and the controller automatically activates the appropriate additive dispensing mechanism when predefined thresholds are reached, eliminating the need for manual mixing operations throughout the day.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control where the level sensor provides continuous information about the consumable liquid level to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts additive dispensing timing and concentration, creating a closed-loop system that maintains optimal composition without requiring user awareness or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If electronic components are integrated into the portable container, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but ease of repair and hygiene maintenance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled dispensing functionalityVSAvoidelectronic component maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The portable container system is divided into separable modules: a hygiene-sensitive consumable container portion and an electronic control portion. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be isolated from direct contact with consumables, enabling the consumable portion to be easily cleaned and sanitized while the electronic portion can be separately maintained or replaced without compromising hygiene.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10231567B2System, method, and apparatus for dispensing variable quantities of additives and controlling characteristics thereof in a beverage

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 CIRKUL INC

AI summary

Provided is a portable, self-contained beverage apparatus. The beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly.