System and Method for Mixing Drinks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage containers are ill-suited for chilled or frozen mixed drinks, particularly those containing alcohol, as they do not allow for separate storage of ingredients that freeze at different temperatures, leading to inconsistent freezing and quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
A container design that separates ingredients, such as alcohol and frozen components, with a mechanism to mix them just before consumption by pulling a tab or cord to release the alcohol into the frozen mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional beverage containers are used for mixed drinks, then the container structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ingredients cannot be stored separately leading to inconsistent freezing and quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple separate compartments, each designed to hold different ingredients (e.g., alcohol, frozen components, mixers). This segmentation allows each ingredient to be stored and frozen independently at its optimal temperature, preventing quality degradation and inconsistent freezing that occurs in conventional single-chamber containers.
2Reliability
If ingredients are stored separately in separate compartments, then beverage quality is maintained through proper freezing, but the container structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs a nested compartment structure where smaller compartments are positioned within or alongside larger ones. For example, frozen ingredient compartments are nested within the main container body, allowing efficient use of space while maintaining separate freezing zones. This nesting approach reduces overall structural complexity compared to completely separate containers.
3Manufacturing precision
If a mixing mechanism is added to combine ingredients, then the drink mixing ratio and temperature are controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates a self-mixing mechanism where the consumer performs the mixing action by removing a cap or opening a valve. The design uses gravity and the natural movement of ingredients when the compartment seals are broken to achieve mixing, eliminating the need for complex motorized or mechanical mixing devices while still providing controlled mixing ratios.
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
Maintains beverage quality by ensuring ingredients are mixed at the right ratio and temperature, providing a consistent drinking experience from start to finish.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method including a container for mixed drinks and more particularly to a container for frozen blended alcoholic beverages
Implementation Method 2
Chilled specialty mixed drinks, including those containing alcohol and those desirable to be consumed over ice or in a frozen blended consistency
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage mixing system includes a beverage container and a method for mixing a beverage. According to aspects, the technology includes a container body and a container top configured to sit above the container body. The container top includes an opening, a sealed fluid reservoir disposed below the opening, a lid disposed over the opening, having a first configuration in the closed position covering the opening, and a second configuration in the open position leaving the opening uncovered, and a pull tab attached to the sealed fluid reservoir member configured to extend above the opening when the lid is in the second configuration. The pull tab releases a fluid from the fluid reservoir into the container body.