Beverage Nozzle Mixing Core Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Typical beverage nozzles are limited to mixing a single type of beverage ingredient, restricting the variety of beverages that can be dispensed and potentially leading to contamination of unmixed ingredients.

Innovation Solution

A beverage nozzle design featuring a housing with interchangeable mixing cores that create turbulent or laminar flow paths to mix multiple beverage ingredients into a homogeneous mixture, allowing for the combination of various ingredients such as concentrates, juices, and water, with removable inlets and a textured or smooth surface configuration to ensure effective mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a beverage nozzle is designed for a specific beverage type, then mixing effectiveness for that beverage is improved, but the nozzle cannot be used for other beverage types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing effectivenessVSAvoidbeverage type compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage nozzle is divided into separable components: a housing and interchangeable mixing cores. Each mixing core is designed for specific beverage types (e.g., juice, tea, soda), allowing the system to switch between different beverage configurations by replacing only the mixing core rather than the entire nozzle assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple types of mixing cores through standardized interfaces. This allows a single housing to perform multiple functions by accepting different mixing cores tailored to various beverage types, thereby achieving both specialization and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple beverage ingredients are mixed in a single nozzle, then beverage variety is expanded, but contamination of unmixed ingredients may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage varietyVSAvoidingredient contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing core is designed as a separate, removable component that can be dedicated to specific ingredient combinations. By segmenting the mixing function from the housing and making the mixing core interchangeable, the system can prevent contamination by using dedicated mixing cores for different ingredient types or by thoroughly cleaning/replacing the mixing core between different beverage preparations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a beverage nozzle is designed with fixed mixing components, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but customization for different ingredients is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidingredient customization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the nozzle into a standardized housing and interchangeable mixing cores, the system maintains manufacturing simplicity for the housing while allowing customization through different mixing core designs. Each mixing core can be optimized for specific ingredient combinations without requiring redesign of the entire nozzle assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, fixed-component nozzle to a dynamic configuration where mixing cores can be changed based on the ingredients being used. This allows the nozzle to adapt its mixing characteristics to match the specific requirements of different beverage ingredients while maintaining a simple, standardized housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 the mixing of a wide range of beverage ingredients, reducing contamination and expanding the types of beverages that can be dispensed, while allowing for customization based on the specific ingredients being used.

Implementation Method 1

interchangeable mixing cores that create turbulent or laminar flow paths to mix multiple beverage ingredients into a homogeneous mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

interchangeable mixing cores that create turbulent or laminar flow paths to mix multiple beverage ingredients into a homogeneous mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Data Source

PatentEP3107820B1Beverage nozzle with mixing core
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 THE COCA COLA CO
  • EP3107820B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3107820B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3107820B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A beverage nozzle for mixing at least a first beverage ingredient and a second beverage ingredient into a homogeneous mixture is disclosed herein. The beverage nozzle may include a housing having a first portion and a second portion. A first inlet may be in fluid communication with the housing. The first inlet may be configured to provide the first beverage ingredient to the housing. A second inlet may be in fluid communication with the housing. The second inlet may be configured to provide the second beverage ingredient to the housing. The beverage nozzle also may include a mixing core disposed within the housing. The mixing core may be configured to mix the first beverage ingredient and the second beverage ingredient into the homogeneous mixture. An outlet may be disposed about the housing. The homogeneous mixture may exit the housing by way of the outlet.