Multi-Flavor Frozen Beverage Dispenser with Beater Bar Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frozen beverage dispensing machines require multiple freezing chambers for various flavors, occupying valuable space and lacking the ability to efficiently mix and dispense multiple flavors in a single serving.
Innovation Solution
A food dispenser system with a single cylindrical chamber and a beater bar mechanism that rotates to scrape and mix ingredients, allowing for the addition of flavors and additives during dispensing, ensuring consistent mixtures and efficient use of space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple freezing chambers are used to provide various flavors, then flavor variety is improved, but space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single freezing chamber is designed to serve multiple functions by storing different frozen beverage flavors in sequence. The chamber acts as a universal container that can hold various flavors (cola, root beer, ginger ale, etc.) at different times, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated chambers while maintaining flavor variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different flavors by controlling the dispensing valve to release specific flavors at different times. The single chamber transitions between storing different flavors, and the controller manages the temporal sequence of flavor dispensing, creating a dynamic multi-flavor system from a static single-chamber structure.
2Area of stationary object
If a single freezing chamber is used to reduce space, then space efficiency is improved, but the ability to dispense multiple flavors simultaneously is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by controlling the dispensing valve to release different flavors in a timed sequence. The controller activates the valve at specific intervals to dispense flavors one after another into the same cup, creating the effect of multi-flavor dispensing from a single chamber through temporal separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing process maintains continuity by seamlessly transitioning between different flavors without interrupting the overall dispensing operation. The controller manages the continuous flow of different flavors through the single valve, ensuring uninterrupted service while maintaining space efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the beater bar rotates to scrape and mix ingredients, then mixing consistency is improved, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beater bar implements self-service by automatically scraping the inner surface of the freezing chamber and mixing the frozen beverage as it rotates. This self-mixing mechanism ensures consistent composition without requiring external intervention or complex additional mixing devices, achieving mixing consistency through the simple rotational motion of the beater bar itself.
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 the dispensing of multiple flavors from a single chamber, reducing space requirements and ensuring consistent flavor profiles and temperature uniformity in the frozen beverage.
Implementation Method 1
The freezing chamber is typically surrounded by a coil that contains refrigerant to cause freezing of the mixture inside to a desired level of consistency
Implementation Method 2
at least one paddle emanating from the axial body adjacent the first end, and configured to extend toward but not contact the inside surface of the food chamber and the faceplate, the at least one paddle configured to mix food adjacent the faceplate with other food in the chamber when the body rotates about the central axis
Implementation Method 3
The mixture is removed from the inner surface and mixed by a rotating shaft driving one or more scraping/mixing members attached to the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an improved system and method that includes a food dispensing machine for dispensing a base food product through a dispensing valve and adding ingredients and other additives, such as flavors and the like, to the base food product when the product is dispensed from a product chamber. Apparatuses and methods for maintaining a consistent mix of the base product in the freezing chamber are disclosed as are processes for calibrating desired proportions of ingredients.