Single-Serve Cold Beverage Mixing Nozzle for Precise Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current single serve beverage dispensers for cold beverages face challenges in maintaining optimal serving temperature, preventing flavor contamination, achieving precise mixing ratios, and efficiently dispensing carbonated drinks, which affect the quality and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A disposable beverage pouch system with an impermeable seal, a pouch fitment that includes pressure rupturable diaphragms and a plunger, and a mixing nozzle structure for post-mixing, allowing for precise control over the flow and mixing of water and concentrate, ensuring the beverage is dispensed at the correct temperature and ratio without contaminating the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the device uses concentrated sugary syrups in the disposable pouch, then the beverage can be dispensed at correct ratios, but the syrups may re-coagulate and contaminate the dispensing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a disposable pouch that contains the concentrated syrup or concentrate. After a single use, the entire pouch is discarded, preventing any re-coagulation or contamination of the dispensing elements. The disposable nature ensures that syrup residues cannot persist in the system to contaminate subsequent beverages
Solution Approach 2:
The syrup containment and dispensing function is extracted into a separate disposable pouch that can be removed and discarded. This separation allows the syrup to be contained in a dedicated vessel that prevents contamination of the permanent dispensing mechanism, while still achieving precise mixing ratios through controlled dispensing
2Stability of the object's composition
If the liquid flows through the cartridge and mixes inside a brewing compartment, then the ingredients fuse together, but excessive off-gassing occurs with carbonated beverages causing bubbling and foaming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forcing carbonated water through the syrup (which causes excessive foaming), the system inverts the flow direction by forcing the syrup through the carbonated water. This reversal of the mixing sequence minimizes violent off-gassing and excessive foaming while still achieving uniform beverage composition
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-mixes the syrup with a small amount of water or carbonated water in a controlled manner before the final dispensing. This preliminary mixing action allows CO2 to escape gradually in a controlled fashion rather than all at once during dispensing, preventing excessive foaming and mess
3Stability of the object's composition
If the dispensing time is extended to allow proper mixing, then the ingredients fuse thoroughly, but CO2 gas leaves the liquid affecting drink quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressurized carbonated water to force the syrup through the dispensing mechanism at high speed. The hydraulic pressure enables complete mixing of ingredients in just 4-6 seconds, achieving thorough fusion without extending dispensing time, thereby preventing CO2 escape and maintaining drink quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic, high-velocity flow of pressurized carbonated water through the syrup to achieve rapid mixing. This dynamic mixing approach completes the fusion process in 4-6 seconds rather than requiring extended static mixing time, preventing CO2 loss while ensuring complete ingredient integration
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 system provides a high-quality, single serve cold beverage dispenser that maintains optimal temperature, prevents flavor contamination, and achieves precise mixing ratios, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable drinking experience.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure rupturable diaphragm sealing the snap-in ring opening; a second pressure rupturable diaphragm sealing the top aperture of the plunger
Implementation Method 2
a plunger having a top aperture, a plunger piston, and a liquid outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for dispensing individual servings of a cold beverage, either having a refrigeration unit to chill the beverage or a removable pitcher that may be put in a refrigerator. A special disposable beverage cartridge or beverage pouch fits into the holder. This cartridge or pouch may have pressure rupturable seals or diaphragms and contain beverage concentrate. A dispensing mechanism puts pressure on the cartridge or the pouch to break the pressure rupturable seal or diaphragm to discharge the concentrate into a mixing structure. The mixing structure also receives chilled liquid from the refrigeration unit or the pitcher, and ensures that the concentrate mixes with the liquid without contacting the walls of the mixing structure.