A liquid dispenser for dispensing water and a flavored beverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water and flavored beverage dispensers face challenges in sanitization due to complex components and difficulty in removing and replacing the beverage dispensing assemblies, leading to inefficiencies and higher production costs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid dispenser design with removable water and flavored beverage dispensing assemblies that allow for easy cleaning and replacement, featuring a single water pump and control system to supply water at lower pressure to the flavored dispensing assembly, and a housing with moveable covers for access and sanitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bottom-loading water dispenser is used to store the water bottle in the lower portion, then the water bottle installation problem is solved, but the number of water contact components increases making sanitization more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into separate modular assemblies: a water dispensing assembly and a beverage dispensing assembly. Each assembly can be independently removed from the housing, allowing for simplified sanitization by separating the water contact components into discrete, removable units rather than a complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The water dispensing assembly is extracted as a separate removable component from the housing. This allows the water contact surfaces to be easily removed for sanitization without disassembling the entire dispenser, directly addressing the sanitization difficulty while maintaining the bottom-loading configuration.
2Reliability
If the beverage dispensing assembly is integrated into the housing, then the dispenser functions properly, but the assembly cannot be easily removed for cleaning or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage dispensing assembly is segmented as a separate removable module that can be independently detached from the housing. This modular design maintains proper dispenser function when assembled while enabling easy removal for cleaning or replacement without affecting the water dispensing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage dispensing assembly transitions from a fixed integrated state to a removable state through designed connection interfaces. This dynamic capability allows the assembly to be securely attached during operation for reliable function, yet easily detached when cleaning or replacement is needed.
3Ease of operation
If a removable water dispensing assembly is implemented, then sanitization becomes easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water dispensing assembly is segmented as a distinct removable unit with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation simplifies the sanitization process by allowing the entire water contact portion to be removed as one piece, while the standardized interfaces minimize the complexity of the removal and reattachment mechanism.
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
Facilitates effective sanitization and cost-effective replacement of dispensing components while ensuring safe and efficient dispensing of both water and flavored beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a water pump in communication with the water bottle to pump water from the water bottle to the water dispensing assembly and the flavored beverage dispensing assembly
Implementation Method 2
a heating element in communication with the water reservoir and configured to heat water in the water reservoir to a desired temperature
Implementation Method 3
a mixing chamber in communication with the flavored beverage container and configured to mix a selected amount of the flavored beverage and water to create a diluted flavored beverage
Implementation Method 4
The water dispenser may include a carbonation system configured to carbonate water dispensed from the water dispenser
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
A liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing water and a flavored beverage. The dispensing apparatus may dispense chilled drinking water, hot drinking water and/or ambient temperature drinking water. The dispensing apparatus may further dispense a chilled, ambient temperature and/or hot flavored beverage. The flavored beverage may be coffee, tea, hot chocolate or another flavored beverage. The dispensing apparatus may include a replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle stored in a lower portion of the dispensing apparatus or an external source of water. Preferably, the liquid dispensing apparatus dispenses chilled drinking water and hot coffee from a replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle stored in a lower portion of the dispensing apparatus wherein the replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle is stored in an upright orientation, i.e., the discharge port of the replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle is oriented above a bottom of the replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle.