Descaling Supply Container With Capillary Dosing for Beverage Flowlines

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing descaling systems for water-carrying flowline systems, such as those in automatic beverage makers, face issues with incomplete dissolution of descaling agents due to temperature fluctuations and the need for frequent replenishment, leading to ineffective scaling removal and potential contamination of beverages.

Innovation Solution

A supply container with a housing, water inlet, reservoir chamber, and capillary line that allows for accurate metering and storage of descaling agents, enabling a saturated solution to be maintained for extended periods, with a capillary line for controlled release and isolation from the beverage preparation system, using biodegradable acids like citric acid, and incorporating a sterilization agent to prevent germ growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the throughflow principle is used to dissolve and discharge descaling agent, then the descaling agent can be delivered into the flowline system, but the water may not actually dissolve the entire amount of descaling agent due to temperature fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolution completenessVSAvoiddescaling agent quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The supply container is divided into two separate chambers: a reservoir chamber for storing descaling agent tablets and a bottom chamber for collecting the dissolved descaling agent solution. This segmentation ensures that undissolved tablets remain isolated from the beverage flowline system while the dissolved solution can be safely discharged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A capillary line acts as an intermediary component between the bottom chamber and the flowline system. It provides controlled discharge of the descaling agent solution while preventing direct connection between the supply container and the beverage preparation system, thereby eliminating contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the supply container is disposed directly in the portion of the flowline system used for preparing beverages, then the descaling agent can be easily integrated, but any remaining undissolved descaling agent can enter the beverage and contaminate it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration easeVSAvoidbeverage contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The supply container is divided into two separate chambers: a reservoir chamber for storing descaling agent tablets and a bottom chamber for collecting the dissolved descaling agent solution. This segmentation ensures that undissolved tablets remain isolated from the beverage flowline system while the dissolved solution can be safely discharged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A capillary line acts as an intermediary component between the bottom chamber and the flowline system. It provides controlled discharge of the descaling agent solution while preventing direct connection between the supply container and the beverage preparation system, thereby eliminating contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a specified amount of descaling agent and water are filled into the supply container prior to descaling, then the descaling procedure can be performed, but the user must repeatedly refill the container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidsupply duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The supply container is pre-filled with a large quantity of descaling agent tablets during manufacturing or initial setup. This preliminary action allows the container to serve multiple descaling cycles without requiring user refilling, thereby extending the operational duration while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically dissolves descaling agent tablets using water from the flowline system itself, eliminating the need for manual intervention to add water or monitor dissolution. The capillary line automatically discharges the dissolved solution, creating a self-sustaining descaling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Ensures thorough and economical descaling of flowline systems over a long period, preventing contamination and germ growth, while being environmentally friendly and safe for handling and disposal.

Implementation Method 1

A capillary line connected to the bottom chamber for discharging a solution of the descaling agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

The bottom chamber is configured to collect the descaling agent dissolved by the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS9370271B2Supply container for a descaling system, automatic beverage maker, and method for descaling an automatic beverage maker

Publication Date: 2016.06.21 MIELE & CO KG

AI summary

A supply container forming part of a descaling system of a flowline system includes a housing having a water inlet supplied by a water source. The water inlet opens into a reservoir chamber containing a water-soluble descaling agent. A bottom chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber. The bottom chamber is configured to collect the descaling agent dissolved by the water. A capillary line discharges a solution of the descaling agent.