Frozen Dispensing Machine Heat Treatment Circuit Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing frozen food dispensing machines face inefficiencies in heat treatment processes, requiring large volumes of product to be heated to high temperatures, which is time-consuming and energy-intensive, and often result in product waste and potential contamination.

Innovation Solution

The method involves disconnecting the product storage portion from the freezing and dispensing portions to define a heat treatment circuit, allowing for a targeted heat treatment of a second volume of product at a higher temperature than the storage temperature, thereby reducing the volume of product that needs to be heated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If periodic heat treatment of the entire machine including product storage bins is performed, then sanitary conditions are ensured, but time and energy consumption increase considerably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitary conditionsVSAvoidheat treatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is divided into two separate circuits: a first circuit containing the product storage bin that remains isolated during heat treatment, and a second circuit containing the freezing cylinder and dispensing components that undergo heat treatment. This segmentation allows sanitary conditions to be maintained in the treated areas without subjecting the entire machine including storage products to heat treatment, thereby reducing time and energy consumption while ensuring reliability in the dispensing path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If periodic heat treatment of the entire machine including product storage bins is performed, then sanitary conditions are ensured, but energy consumption increases considerably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitary conditionsVSAvoidheat treatment energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is divided into two separate circuits: a first circuit containing the product storage bin that remains isolated during heat treatment, and a second circuit containing the freezing cylinder and dispensing components that undergo heat treatment. This segmentation allows sanitary conditions to be maintained in the treated areas without subjecting the entire machine including storage products to heat treatment, thereby reducing time and energy consumption while ensuring reliability in the dispensing path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the machine is emptied and manually cleaned, then sanitary conditions are ensured, but labor and time are intensive and product is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitary conditionsVSAvoidcleaning operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic heat treatment of the second circuit (freezing cylinder and dispensing components) without requiring manual intervention for disassembly or cleaning. The automated circulation and heating process eliminates the need for labor-intensive manual cleaning operations while ensuring sanitary conditions are maintained in the product handling path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the machine is emptied for sanitizing, then sanitary conditions are ensured, but product waste occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitary conditionsVSAvoidproduct waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is divided into two separate circuits: a first circuit containing the product storage bin that remains isolated during heat treatment, and a second circuit containing the freezing cylinder and dispensing components that undergo heat treatment. This segmentation allows sanitary conditions to be maintained in the treated areas without subjecting the entire machine including storage products to heat treatment, thereby reducing time and energy consumption while ensuring reliability in the dispensing path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach reduces the time and energy required for heat treatment, minimizes product waste, and maintains sanitary conditions by isolating the product storage from the heat treatment process.

Implementation Method 1

raising a temperature of the second volume of product to at least the heat treatment temperature within a first time duration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

holding the second volume of product at the heat treatment temperature for at least a second time duration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal holding:

Implementation Method 3

cooling the second volume of product to an operational temperature within a third time duration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS20250049065A1Frozen dispensing machine heat treatment system and method

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE LLC

AI summary

A method of performing a heat treatment cycle on a volume of product in a frozen food dispensing machine includes disconnecting a product storage portion of the machine from a freezing portion and a dispensing portion of the machine, defining a heat treatment circuit including the freezing portion and the dispensing portion of the machine, maintaining a first volume of product at the product storage portion at a product storage temperature and performing a heat treatment cycle on a second volume of product disposed in the heat treatment circuit at a heat treatment temperature greater than the product storage temperature.