Disposable assembly, a system and method for preparing a foamed food product
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable assemblies for liquid food products, such as milk, require significant energy for cooling and heating, are costly due to mechanical robustness for steam generation, and result in a 'cooked milk taste, necessitating frequent and costly cleaning to maintain hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A disposable assembly using a concentrated liquid food product with an eductor and microfiltration device that allows for efficient mixing with water to create a foamed product at ambient temperatures, reducing energy consumption and maintaining hygiene through a hydrophobic microfiltration device, eliminating the need for steam and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooling means are used to cool the milk in the disposable assembly, then the milk can be preserved during transport and storage, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of milk from liquid to concentrated form by removing water. This parameter change (concentration) fundamentally alters the product's properties, allowing it to be stored and transported at ambient temperature without cooling, thus eliminating the energy consumption associated with refrigeration while maintaining preservation and hygiene
2Temperature
If a steam generator is used to heat the milk for hot foamed products, then hot foamed products can be produced, but the mechanical construction must be robust to resist high pressures, increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical steam generation system with a heating element that directly heats the concentrated milk. This substitution eliminates the need for high-pressure steam generation and the associated robust mechanical construction, reducing device complexity and cost while still achieving the desired temperature for hot foamed products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of milk from liquid to concentrated form, which allows for direct heating without requiring high-pressure steam generation. This parameter change enables temperature control through simpler heating mechanisms, eliminating the need for mechanically robust steam generation systems
3Reliability
If frequent cleaning is performed to maintain hygiene, then hygiene standards are maintained, but the downtime of the operating apparatus increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of milk to concentrated form, which fundamentally reduces the risk of bacterial growth and spoilage. This parameter change maintains high hygiene standards throughout storage and operation, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning cycles and reducing both downtime and energy consumption associated with cleaning
4Duration of action of stationary object
If concentrated liquid food product is used instead of liquid milk, then the product can be stored at ambient temperature without degradation, but additional mixing with water is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the eductor device to automatically mix water with the concentrated milk through fluid dynamics principles. This substitution of manual or complex mixing systems with a passive eductor device based on pressure differential simplifies the overall system while enabling the necessary reconstitution of milk from concentrated form
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 enables the production of a foamed food product with a pleasant taste without the 'cooked milk taste, using less energy, reducing cleaning frequency, and maintaining hygiene, while allowing for extended storage and use at ambient temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the eductor can be used to entrain concentrated liquid food product out of the holder by the suction provided by the water flowing through the eductor
Implementation Method 2
an eductor; a microfiltration device
Implementation Method 3
a microfiltration device for foaming the milk by introducing a gas, such as air, via the microfiltration device to the milk flowing through the microfiltration device
Implementation Method 4
introducing a gas, such as air, via the microfiltration device to the milk flowing through the microfiltration device
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable assembly contains a concentrated liquid food product and comprises an eductor and a microfiltration device. A water inlet of the eductor is configured for connection to an external source of water. A gas inlet of the microfiltration device is configured for connection to an external source of gas and an outlet of the microfiltration device is configured for discharging a foamed food product created by the microfiltration device from the disposable assembly. A system for preparing a foamed food product comprises a product preparation apparatus for preparing said foamed food product, and such a disposable assembly. The apparatus comprises a water source, a water heater and water pressurizing means configured for detachable connection to the eductor of the disposable assembly. The apparatus further comprises a pressurized gas source and gas pressurizing means configured for supplying pressurized gas to the microfiltration device. In a method for preparing a foamed food product heated water is supplied to the water inlet of said eductor for entraining concentrated liquid food product out of the holder and for mixing said concentrated liquid food product with the heated water.