Beverage Dispensing Fluid Path Segmentation for Carryover Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage mixture dispensing systems face challenges in preventing carryover of components from one beverage to another, particularly with high viscosity sweetening liquids that tend to clog or leave residues, and in maintaining concentration of components like carbon dioxide when routed through tight fluid paths.
Innovation Solution
The system employs shared and separate fluid paths, using a shared solvent like liquid water to pretreat and clean surfaces, route high-risk components around sensitive paths, and utilize a sanitizing solvent like alcohol to prevent carryover and maintain component concentration, while also using dedicated lines for components like carbonated water to prevent dilution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If high viscosity sweetening liquids are routed through shared fluid paths, then beverage mixing flexibility is improved, but clogging and residue formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid path system into carryover component paths and shared solvent paths. High viscosity sweetening liquids are routed through dedicated carryover component paths that bypass the shared solvent path, eliminating clogging while preserving mixing flexibility through the shared path architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mixing chamber where carryover components (high viscosity sweetening liquids) are introduced separately from the shared solvent path. This intermediary location allows mixing without requiring the sweetening liquids to traverse the shared fluid path, preventing clogging while maintaining beverage variety.
2Device complexity
If carbonated water is routed through tight fluid paths, then system compactness is improved, but component concentration decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carbonated water delivery into a dedicated carryover component path that bypasses the tight shared solvent path. This dedicated path maintains carbon dioxide concentration by avoiding the dilution and pressure changes that occur in the compact shared path, while the overall system remains compact through integrated routing.
3Device complexity
If shared fluid paths are used for all components, then system simplicity is improved, but carryover between beverages occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid path system into shared solvent paths and dedicated carryover component paths. This segmentation prevents flavor carryover by isolating components with high carryover potential (sweetening liquids, carbonated water) from the shared path, while maintaining system simplicity through the use of a common shared solvent path for water and alcohol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by routing carryover components through dedicated paths that introduce them directly to the mixing chamber without contacting the shared fluid path surfaces. This preliminary routing decision prevents carryover before it can occur, eliminating the need for complex cleaning or treatment of the shared path between beverages.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If separate fluid paths are used for carryover components, then carryover prevention is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the shared solvent path to serve multiple functions: it is the common path for both water and alcohol delivery, and it acts as a model for the segregated path structure. The dedicated carryover component paths, while separate, follow the same architectural pattern and integrate with the shared path at the mixing chamber, reducing overall system complexity through standardized multi-functional design.
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 approach effectively prevents carryover, reduces clogging, and maintains component concentration, ensuring consistent and clean beverage production by using shared solvents for pretreatment and cleaning, and dedicated paths for sensitive components.
Implementation Method 1
a shared component in the form of a shared solvent can be used to pretreat (e.g., coat) the shared paths to prevent absorption of carryover components by the surfaces of the shared paths
Implementation Method 2
a shared component such as a shared solvent can be used to clean (e.g., rinse) the shared paths to remove carryover components from the surfaces of the shared paths
Implementation Method 3
the component could be a sweetening liquid with a high viscosity that tends to flow more slowly through the system and leave behind a thick sticky residue on surfaces it contacts
Data Source
AI summary
Dispensing sequences for beverage mixture dispensing systems are disclosed. A disclosed method for operating a beverage mixture dispensing system includes flowing a first solvent from a first reservoir to a mixing area of the beverage mixture dispensing system, dispensing concentrated ingredients into the mixing area to combine the first solvent from the first reservoir with the concentrated ingredients to form an intermediate mixture, flowing the intermediate mixture to a mixing chamber of the beverage mixture dispensing system, flowing a sweetening liquid from a second reservoir to the mixing chamber, without flowing the sweetening liquid through the mixing area, to combine the sweetening liquid from the second reservoir with the intermediate mixture to form a beverage, and dispensing the beverage from the mixing chamber. A disclosed device is configured to execute this method. A disclosed computer-readable medium includes instructions for a device to execute this method.