Beverage Machine Disc Spinning for Rapid Tablet Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional on-demand beverage machines using compressed powder tablets face challenges in achieving rapid and even dissolution, often resulting in incomplete dissolution and a weak beverage due to inefficient energy distribution and potential bypassing of tablet parts by the water jet.
Innovation Solution
A machine design that spins a compressed disc of ingredients using a high-energy water jet directed at the peripheral edge, ensuring even energy distribution and complete dissolution with minimal moving parts, maintaining low maintenance and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a single water jet is used to dissolve the tablet, then the energy concentration is high, but the dissolution is uneven and parts of the tablet are bypassed
Solution Approach 1:
The single water jet is divided into multiple sub-jets that are distributed around the periphery of the tablet. This segmentation allows the energy to be concentrated in multiple locations simultaneously, ensuring even dissolution across the entire tablet surface without bypassing any parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolution approach transitions from a single-point impact to a distributed peripheral impact pattern. By directing multiple jets at the periphery of the rotating tablet, the system utilizes the rotational dimension to achieve comprehensive coverage and uniform dissolution throughout the tablet.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple water jets are used to achieve better coverage, then the dissolution evenness improves, but the flow rate and pressure must be increased proportionately
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet is set into rotation, transforming the static dissolution process into a dynamic one. This rotation allows a smaller number of jets positioned at the periphery to achieve comprehensive coverage over time, eliminating the need to increase flow rate and pressure proportionately with the number of jets.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating tablet itself serves to distribute the dissolution action across its surface. The tablet's rotation automatically ensures that all parts pass through the jet impact zone, providing self-distribution of the dissolution energy without requiring additional jets or increased water quantity.
3Productivity
If the jet velocity is increased to dissolve the tablet faster, then the dissolution rate improves, but energy is wasted and the beverage is over-diluted
Solution Approach 1:
The water flow is segmented into multiple lower-velocity jets distributed around the tablet periphery. This segmentation allows the total energy to be distributed efficiently across multiple impact points, achieving rapid dissolution without the waste and over-dilution associated with a single high-velocity jet.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating tablet increases the effective dissolution rate by continuously presenting fresh surfaces to the jets. This dynamic approach allows the use of lower jet velocities while maintaining high productivity, as the rotation ensures continuous exposure and prevents energy waste on already-dissolved areas.
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 method enables rapid and complete dissolution of compressed tablets, producing a consistent beverage strength and reducing residual insoluble particles, with the ability to adjust flow rates and jet pulsing for various ingredients and desired product qualities.
Implementation Method 1
a jet of water or other liquid is directed on to the disc to cause it to dissolve or disintegrate
Implementation Method 2
It is well known that creating turbulence helps speed up the rate of dissolution of tablets. This can be achieved by methods such as mechanical agitation (stirring), ultra-sonic energy or by using high velocity water jets.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to improvements in machines for the preparation of beverage and food products, and in particular to such a machine which utilizes a compressed tablet of food or beverage product, which is inserted into the brew chamber of the machine, into which a liquid is directed to break up or dissolve the tablet. The machine for preparing a beverage or food product from a compressed disc of at least one ingredient includes a sealable brew chamber, and said brew chamber includes means for mounting the disc so that it is able to spin freely around a central axis. The brew chamber further includes an at least one nozzle having an outlet in the brew chamber located to direct a jet of liquid at a peripheral edge of the disc mounted in the brew chamber.