Device for preparing mixed beverages from drinking water and a concentrate from a refill unit and refill unit for providing a concentrate for preparing beverages from drinking water and concentrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for producing mixed drinks from drinking water and beverage concentrate face high logistical and packaging efforts, contamination risks, and inefficient mixing due to manual handling and disposable packaging.
Innovation Solution
A device and system utilizing a refill unit with a flexible pouch and spout design, featuring a displacement device and actuating mechanism for hygienic and quick exchange, combined with a mixing chamber for improved mixing efficiency, and a cooling system for temperature control, reduce logistical and packaging costs while ensuring hygiene and rapid production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable BIB (bag in box) packaging is used for beverage concentrate, then contamination risk is reduced, but packaging effort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the beverage concentrate storage (bag) from the dispensing mechanism (spout and connection interface). The bag can be independently replaced without handling the connection components, reducing packaging complexity while maintaining hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout acts as an intermediary component between the bag and the mixing chamber. It provides a standardized connection interface that allows the bag to be easily replaced without direct contact with the mixing chamber, reducing both packaging effort and contamination risk.
2Ease of manufacture
If reusable pressure containers are used for beverage concentrate, then packaging effort is reduced, but logistical effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses disposable bags instead of reusable pressure containers. Although disposable, the bags are simple in design (flexible pouch with spout), reducing packaging complexity while eliminating the need for cleaning and maintenance logistics.
3Device complexity
If manual handling of refill units is used, then device complexity is reduced, but hygiene is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spout serves as a hygienic barrier between the user's hands and the internal components. Users handle only the external bag and spout, never touching the mixing chamber or internal connections, thus maintaining hygiene without complex automated handling mechanisms.
4Device complexity
If drinking water and beverage concentrate are added successively to the drinking vessel, then device complexity is reduced, but mixing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the delivery of drinking water and beverage concentrate into a single mixing chamber. Both fluids are delivered simultaneously and mixed within the chamber before being dispensed, improving mixing efficiency without requiring complex external mixing mechanisms.
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 significantly reduces logistical and packaging efforts, ensures hygiene during refill unit exchange, and enhances mixing efficiency by combining drinking water and beverage concentrate in a mixing chamber, allowing for quick and efficient production of mixed drinks with adjustable temperature and flavor options.
Implementation Method 1
a pump arranged in the first connecting line
Implementation Method 2
a mixing chamber connected to the other end of the first connecting line and having an outlet for a mixed drink, and a second connecting line connected to the mixing chamber to a drinking water supply
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Device for producing mixed drinks from drinking water and a beverage concentrate from a refill unit (1) with a flexible bag (2), a nozzle (3) projecting from the bag (2) with a radially projecting disc (13, 14) or projections at various intervals from the bag (2), and a pierceable cover (4) closing the upper end. The device comprises: a carrier (16) with a bearing surface (18) for placing the bag, a stop plate (20) projecting upwards from the carrier (16) with respect to the bearing surface (18) and an insertion opening (21) extending downwards from the upper edge of the stop plate (20) for inserting the nozzle (3), a mandrel (24) aligned with the insertion opening (21) and having a through-channel, a displacement device holding the mandrel (24) with an actuating device (27) that moves the mandrel (24) from a release position,which allows the nozzle (3) to be inserted into the insertion opening (21), to be moved into an engagement position in which the mandrel (24) pierces the cover (4) and engages in the nozzle (3), a first connecting line (31, 35) connected to the mandrel (24), a pump (32) arranged in the first connecting line (31, 35), a mixing chamber (33) with an outlet (34) for a mixed beverage connected to the other end of the first connecting line (31, 35), and a second connecting line (31, 35) to a drinking water supply connected to the mixing chamber (33).