Disposable Beverage Mixing Module With Sealed Drive Shaft Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage mixing systems for nutraceutical beverages require thorough cleaning between uses to prevent cross-contamination of pharmaceutical materials, which is inefficient and poses risks of contamination.
Innovation Solution
A beverage mixing system with a removable compounding module that isolates dry or liquid compounds from moving mechanical parts, allowing for physical separation and easy disposal, and includes a drive shaft capable of independent or coordinated translation and rotational motions to ensure thorough mixing without contaminating the mechanical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blender or known beverage mixing system is used to mix nutraceutical beverages, then the beverages can be mixed, but the system requires thorough cleaning between uses to prevent cross-contamination of pharmaceutical materials
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the beverage mixing system into a permanent stationary housing and a removable compounding module. The compounding module contains the beverage material and can be easily removed and replaced, eliminating the need to clean the stationary housing between uses. This segmentation isolates the contaminable components (compounding module) from the permanent structure, allowing simple disposal rather than cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The compounding module containing the beverage material is extracted as a separate removable component from the stationary housing. This allows the compounding module to be discarded after use while the stationary housing remains clean and ready for the next use, eliminating cross-contamination risks without requiring cleaning of the permanent structure.
2Productivity
If the moving mechanical parts contact the compounding module contents during mixing, then effective mixing can be achieved, but the mechanical parts become contaminated requiring cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The compounding module acts as an intermediary container that holds the beverage material during mixing. The stationary housing's moving mechanical parts interact with the compounding module externally or through controlled interfaces, preventing direct contact between the mechanical parts and the beverage material. This intermediary structure enables effective mixing while preventing contamination of the mechanical parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The compounding module is designed as a disposable, low-cost component that can be easily replaced. Instead of cleaning expensive permanent mechanical parts, the system uses inexpensive single-use compounding modules that are discarded after one use, eliminating contamination risks while maintaining mixing effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the compounding module is removable and disposable, then cleaning is eliminated, but the module must be securely held and positioned during mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The compounding module is extracted as a self-contained removable unit with integrated sealing and positioning features. The module includes a seal that engages with the stationary housing to create a secure connection during mixing, eliminating the need for complex external holding mechanisms while enabling easy removal and disposal after use.
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
The system prevents cross-contamination and reduces maintenance by isolating the drive shaft from the compounding module's contents, allowing for efficient and safe mixing of different nutraceutical beverages without the need for extensive cleaning between uses.
Implementation Method 1
the drive shaft can be configured to impart a translation motion (e.g., up and down) to at least a portion of the compounding module relative to a beverage container or vessel
Implementation Method 2
the drive shaft can also be configured to impart a rotational motion (clockwise and/or anti-clockwise) to at least a portion of the compounding module
Implementation Method 3
the compounding module can be completely immersed in the material contained in the compounding module... the contents of the compounding module are removed into a drinking vessel or container
Implementation Method 4
the drive shaft can impart a variety of other motions to the at least a portion of the compounding module, such as, for example, churning, vibrating, pulsing, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage mixing system includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.