Blender Annular Ring Particle Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blender assemblies face challenges in effectively dispersing particles in preparations due to limitations in particle introduction methods, leading to issues such as particle sticking, cleaning difficulties, and reduced flow rates, particularly in high vacuum conditions and with recirculation hoses.

Innovation Solution

A blender device with a rotor and annular ring configuration, featuring an admission duct opening inside the annular ring, allows for direct introduction of particles into the turbulence zone, enabling increased vacuum levels without particle sticking and eliminating the need for a hard-to-clean outside recirculation hose, while being compact and easy to install.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If particles are introduced by suction into the vat via an admission duct, then particles can be incorporated into the blend, but increasing vacuum level causes particles to stick against the upper portion of the vat and pass too fast through the blend

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle introduction flowVSAvoidparticle sticking and loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an annular ring as an intermediary component positioned between the admission duct and the blend. This ring receives particles from the admission duct and distributes them radially outward to the rotor, preventing direct suction of particles against the vat wall while maintaining efficient incorporation into the blend.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial dimension of particle introduction by using an annular ring that distributes particles radially outward in a horizontal plane, rather than introducing them vertically downward into the blend. This dimensional change allows particles to be incorporated without sticking to the upper vat portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If an outside recirculation hose is used for particle introduction, then particles can be introduced into the vat, but the hose is difficult to clean and limits the introduction flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle introduction flowVSAvoidcleaning difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the outside recirculation hose from the system by introducing particles directly through an admission duct into the annular ring. This removal of the external hose component eliminates cleaning difficulties while enabling higher particle introduction flows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the particle introduction function with the existing rotor-stator blending mechanism by using the annular ring as both a particle distributor and a component integrated with the rotor assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate recirculation hoses while maintaining efficient particle incorporation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution effectively disperses particles with higher flow rates, reduces product losses, and simplifies cleaning, decreasing the time required to fully incorporate particles into the preparation.

Implementation Method 1

a rotor (2) intended to be rotated by motor means (4) and including blending blades (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) arranged to suction the blend through an axial orifice (18) of the annular ring (5) and project it radially through radial orifices (6) of the annular ring (5)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

an admission duct (7) for admitting particles (8) to be incorporated into the blend, opening inside the annular ring (5)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS8960993B2Blender assembly for producing a vacuum inside a vat and method for dispensing particles therein

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 VMI INC

AI summary

A blender device including a rotor designed to engage with a motor device to be rotated; and an annular ring enclosing the rotor and having at least one axial orifice and a plurality of radial orifices for the passage of the blend. The blender also includes an admission duct for admitting particles intended to be incorporated into the blend, leading into the interior of the annular ring. The blender also effectively dispenses particles in a blend by introducing the particles with a high flow and decreasing product losses.