Multi-Spout Beverage Dispenser With Indirect Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drink dispensers are not adapted for simultaneous serving to multiple users and often have cooling elements in direct contact with the drink, risking contamination and altering the taste.

Innovation Solution

A drink dispenser with a support base and a receptacle featuring angular nozzles and independent pouring levers for multiple users, along with a cooling element placed between the support base and the receptacle to maintain temperature without direct contact, ensuring hygiene and taste preservation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a cooling element is placed in direct contact with the drink to maintain temperature, then the cooling effect is improved, but the risk of contamination and taste alteration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrink temperatureVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling element is segmented into multiple independent cooling blocks, each serving a specific zone. This allows the cooling function to be distributed and separated from direct drink contact, reducing contamination risk while maintaining effective temperature control through thermal conduction via the support base.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support base acts as an intermediary between the cooling element and the drink receptacle. The cooling element contacts the support base, which in turn contacts the drink receptacle, creating a thermal conduction path that maintains drink temperature without direct contact between the cooling element and the drink, thus preventing contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a single drink receptacle is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot serve multiple users simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserving capacityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single drink receptacle is segmented into multiple compartments or zones, each with its own emptying orifice and valve system. This allows the receptacle to serve multiple users simultaneously while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the segmentation occurs within the existing receptacle framework rather than requiring multiple separate receptacles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support base is designed with universal functionality to support both the drink receptacle and the cooling element simultaneously. It provides structural support, thermal conduction for cooling, and mounting for multiple valves and nozzles, thereby enabling multi-user service without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple valves and nozzles are added to serve multiple users, then the serving capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous serving capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple valves are merged into a single integrated valve assembly mounted on the support base, and multiple nozzles are combined in a coordinated arrangement. This merging approach allows multiple users to be served simultaneously while reducing the overall number of discrete components and simplifying the device structure compared to having completely separate valve-nozzle assemblies for each user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simultaneous serving to multiple users while maintaining drink temperature without contamination risks, ensuring hygiene and taste preservation.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling element in the form of a block which is adapted to the shape of the inner part of the support base and of the lower part of the drink receptacle and filled of cooling gel which can freeze placed between the support base and the drink receptacle in order to keep this suitable cool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

When the pressure on the pouring lever stops, the corresponding sliding part and the respective valve are returned to their initial position by springs provided for said purpose, cutting off the drink supply

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8973787B2Portable beverage-dispensing device for use by groups

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 BENAYAS PEREZ LUIS

AI summary

The dispensing device (1) has a beverage receptacle (2) with holes (200) in the base thereof, said holes being stopped with valves (3); a supporting base (4) that supports the receptacle; serving mechanisms (5) for opening the valves; and a cooling element mounted between the receptacle and the stand. The base (20) of the receptacle has, within, a convex central portion (201) and a peripheral portion (202) with the emptying holes, and the outer part thereof has a concave central portion (203) and a peripheral zone (204) with housings (205) for mounting a respective valve. The stand has an upper portion (40) in which the receptacle fits, and supporting legs (41). The serving mechanisms (5) are mounted in the upper portion of the stand, operationally facing the respective valve. The cooling element (6) is designed to be fitted inside the upper portion of the stand, with the base of the receptacle located above said element.