Capsule-Based Mixed Beverage Unit for Compact Alcohol Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The logistical complexity, high storage space requirements, and costs associated with providing multiple alcoholic beverages in a home setting are not adequately addressed by existing technologies, as they often require dedicated capsules and significant outlay for flavorings and alcohol.
Innovation Solution
A beverage unit integrated into a refrigerator that includes modules for providing water, alcohol, and flavor additives in compact capsules, allowing for flexible and convenient production of various beverages by controlling liquid quantities and temperatures, with a control module to mix and dispense the ingredients efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple alcoholic beverages are stored individually in a home, then different beverage types are available, but storage space requirements and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage system is segmented into separate functional modules: a water provision module, an alcohol provision module, and a taste module with replaceable capsules containing flavorings and additives. This segmentation allows the system to produce diverse beverages without storing multiple complete beverage containers, as each module can be independently optimized and refilled.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage production unit is designed as a universal system capable of producing multiple different alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages using the same hardware infrastructure. The control module can select from various capsules and adjust mixing ratios to create different beverage types, eliminating the need for separate storage spaces for each beverage variety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated capsules containing flavorings and alcohol are provided for each alcoholic beverage, then beverage production is enabled, but the outlay for providing these capsules remains relatively significant
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the alcohol provision module with the water provision module and taste capsules into an integrated beverage production system. By combining these elements, the system reduces overall costs compared to providing separate dedicated capsules for each beverage type, as the same hardware infrastructure supports multiple beverage productions through different capsule and mixing combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing multiple original beverage containers, the system uses capsules that contain copies or replicas of the flavor profiles and additives. These capsules can be refilled or replaced to recreate different beverage tastes without needing to store the actual original beverages, reducing the quantity and cost of materials required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a system with storage containers for water, alcohol, syrups or concentrates is built into the refrigerator door, then different mixed beverages can be produced, but the outlay for providing the system remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential beverage production functionality from a complex integrated refrigerator door system and implements it as a standalone beverage production unit. This unit includes simplified storage containers for water and alcohol, a taste module with capsules, and a control module, reducing the overall system outlay while maintaining the capability to produce multiple mixed beverages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses disposable or refillable capsules containing flavorings and additives instead of requiring a complex integrated system with multiple permanent storage containers and sophisticated mixing mechanisms. These capsules can be easily replaced or refilled, reducing the overall device complexity and initial outlay compared to built-in refrigerator door systems.
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
This solution reduces logistical complexity and costs by enabling the production of multiple beverages in desired portions with minimal storage space, using compact capsules and integrating with existing refrigeration technology for efficient temperature control and handling, including the production of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration module, which is designed to cool the liquid ingredients for producing a beverage
Implementation Method 2
a mixing module, which is designed to mix the liquid ingredients with one another and with the additives from the capsule
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage unit for producing a beverage. The beverage unit comprises a first provisioning module for providing a first liquid and a second provisioning module for providing a second liquid that contains alcohol. The beverage unit further comprises a taste module for providing additives, wherein the taste module is configured to receive a first capsule, which contains the additives for a portion of a first beverage. Furthermore, the beverage unit comprises a control module configured to determine parameters for producing the first beverage, wherein the parameters indicate a first amount of the first liquid and a second amount of the second liquid. The control module is further configured to bring about that the first amount of the first liquid is provided by the first provisioning module, and to bring about that the second amount of the second liquid is provided by the second provisioning module. Furthermore, the control module is configured to bring about that the first amount of the first liquid and the second amount of the second liquid are mixed with the additives from the first capsule in order to produce the portion of the first beverage.