Beverage preparation method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines face issues with high flowability milk powders clogging the funnel-shaped bottom of the mixing chamber when not in use, leading to inconsistent dosing and wastage, especially when preparing large volumes of milk-based beverages without the need for motorized agitation.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation apparatus with a mixing chamber featuring a water inlet configured to create a swirl, a funnel-shaped bottom wall inclined at least 30°, and a large beverage outlet conduit of at least 5 mm hydraulic diameter, allowing water to wet the surface before powder introduction, preventing powder from sliding into the outlet and ensuring efficient dissolution and frothing without motorized components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a funnel-shaped bottom wall is used to facilitate rapid dispensing of large volumes of beverage, then productivity is improved, but high flowability powder flows straight through the funnel and is dispensed prematurely, worsening dosing precision
Solution Approach 1:
A water film is applied to the internal surface of the funnel-shaped bottom wall before powder is introduced. This preliminary wetting creates a hydrophilic barrier that prevents high flowability powder from sliding directly through the funnel to the beverage outlet, thereby maintaining dosing precision while preserving the rapid dispensing capability of the funnel shape.
2Productivity
If a large beverage outlet conduit is used to dispense large volumes rapidly, then productivity is improved, but powder can escape through the large outlet during dosing, worsening dosing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The water film is applied to the funnel surface before powder dosing, creating a protective barrier that prevents powder from escaping through the large beverage outlet conduit during the dosing phase, while still allowing rapid beverage flow when needed.
3Manufacturing precision
If a clamping device with motor is added to close the beverage outlet during dosing, then dosing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized clamping device is removed from the system. Instead, the function of controlling powder flow is achieved by the water film barrier on the funnel surface, which passively prevents powder from reaching the beverage outlet during dosing without requiring active mechanical closure.
Solution Approach 2:
A water film is introduced as an intermediary substance between the powder and the funnel surface. This water film acts as a barrier that prevents powder from sliding through the funnel, replacing the need for a motorized clamping mechanism while maintaining dosing precision.
4Manufacturing precision
If high flowability powder is used to improve dosing consistency, then manufacturing precision is improved, but powder flows too rapidly through the funnel when chamber is dry, worsening dosing control
Solution Approach 1:
The water film is applied to the funnel surface before powder is introduced, creating a controlled environment that allows high flowability powder to be dosed consistently without uncontrolled flow through the funnel. The water film provides the necessary resistance to powder flow while maintaining dosing precision.
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 preparation of large volumes of frothed beverages with high flowability powders without motorized agitation, preventing powder wastage and ensuring consistent dosing and rapid dispensing, while maintaining low manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the water inlet and the internal shape of the chamber are configured so that water introduced through the water inlet is able to form a swirl inside the chamber
Implementation Method 2
the bottom wall presents the shape of a funnel inclined in direction of the beverage outlet conduit... said funnel is inclined by an angle of at least 30° with horizontal
Implementation Method 3
introducing water in the chamber to dissolve the powder
Implementation Method 4
The mixing chamber provides sufficient agitation with the water to dissolve and froth the coffee
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for producing a beverage by dissolution of soluble beverage powder with water in a beverage preparation apparatus, - said apparatus comprising at least one chamber (1) for receiving and mixing a dose of soluble beverage powder with water, said chamber comprising : - an opened top to receive the dose of soluble beverage powder, and - a lateral side wall (11) said lateral side wall comprising a water inlet (2), and - a bottom wall (12), said bottom wall comprising a beverage outlet conduit (3), and - said method comprising the steps of : a) - introducing water through the water inlet (2) to wet the internal surface of the funnel of the bottom wall, then b) - stopping the introduction of water, then c) - introducing the dose of soluble beverage powder in the chamber, then d) - introducing water in the chamber to dissolve the powder.