Automated Beverage Dispensing With Precise Portioning and Self-Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for creating smoothies are inefficient due to manual portion control leading to waste, and the complexity of cleaning the dispensing system, which increases labor and risks flavor contamination.

Innovation Solution

An integrated system that includes an ice dispenser, a flavor/ingredient dispensing module, and a blender/mixer/cleaning module, with a controller for automated portion control and cleaning, ensuring precise dispensing and segregation of ice and ingredients to prevent contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If manual portion control is used for dispensing ingredients, then operational flexibility is maintained, but waste increases and portion precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingredient wasteVSAvoidmanual portion control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-portioning automatically through the controller that regulates the dispensing of each ingredient based on the selected recipe, eliminating the need for manual measurement and portioning by operators. The pump system automatically dispenses precise amounts of liquid ingredients while the ice dispenser automatically portions ice, allowing the system to serve itself without human intervention for portion control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical portion control with an automated electronic control system. The controller receives input signals for recipe selection and automatically activates pumps and ice dispensers to deliver precise portions, substituting the mechanical manual measurement process with an electronic automated dispensing system that tracks and controls ingredient quantities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the dispensing system is manually cleaned, then flavor contamination can be prevented, but labor time and cleaning complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflavor contamination preventionVSAvoidcleaning process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-cleaning automatically through a cleaning cycle initiated by the controller. The cleaning pump circulates cleaning solution through the ingredient dispensing lines and components, automatically flushing and sanitizing the system without requiring manual disassembly or hand-cleaning by operators. The system manages its own hygiene maintenance independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning process is designed to be continuous and integrated into the system's operational cycle. The cleaning pump continuously circulates cleaning solution through all ingredient dispensing pathways, ensuring complete coverage and thorough cleaning without interruption or manual intervention. This continuous automated cleaning maintains reliability while eliminating manual labor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ingredient conduits are used for different flavors, then ingredient variety is increased, but cross-contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingredient varietyVSAvoidflavor contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the dispensing system into separate segmented pathways for different ingredients. Each ingredient has its own dedicated conduit and dispensing mechanism, physically separating different flavor streams to prevent cross-contamination. The segmentation extends to the dispensing nozzle area where different ingredients are delivered through isolated channels that meet only at the final dispensing point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning solution acts as an intermediary substance that flushes through the ingredient conduits between different ingredient dispensing operations. This intermediary cleaning fluid prevents direct contact between different ingredients in the conduits, eliminating cross-contamination risk while allowing the same conduits to be reused for different flavors. The intermediary cleaning agent mediates between different ingredient streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This system reduces waste and labor by automating the blending process, ensures accurate portioning, and facilitates efficient cleaning, thereby improving operational efficiency and preventing flavor contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a pump that causes the ingredient to move from the ingredient container, through the ingredient conduit and into the dispensing apparatus under pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS8534501B2Integrated method and system for dispensing beverage ingredients

Publication Date: 2013.09.17 ENODIS CORP

AI summary

An integrated beverage blending system comprising: a controller for menu selection; an ice portion control module; an ingredient module; a dispensing apparatus in communication with the ice portion control module and the ingredient module, wherein the ice and the ingredient are dispensed into a beverage container via the dispensing apparatus.