Disposable Bag Pump for Soft Ice Cream Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soft ice cream production apparatuses require frequent and costly thorough cleaning due to contamination risks, as they often involve breaking down parts susceptible to contamination, which is inefficient and not entirely effective in preventing microbial growth and ensuring product safety.
Innovation Solution
A soft ice cream production apparatus using a storage container in the form of an insertable bag with an integrated single-use pump that minimizes contact with the environment and machine parts, reducing contamination risks through a partial vacuum and diaphragm valve, and can be retrofitted into conventional machines, thereby simplifying cleaning and extending shelf life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional storage containers and pumping systems are used, then the apparatus can be operated in warm environments, but frequent thorough cleaning is required due to contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable bags containing soft ice cream raw material that are replaced periodically rather than cleaned. The bags are designed for single use, eliminating the need for frequent thorough cleaning of storage containers while ensuring product safety through continuous replacement with sterile containers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible bag containers made of thin film materials that can be sealed and disposed of after use. These flexible containers create a barrier between the raw material and the environment, reducing contamination risks without requiring frequent cleaning of rigid storage structures
2Reliability
If parts susceptible to contamination are broken down for cleaning, then thorough cleaning can be achieved, but operational time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into disposable bags that can be independently replaced without disassembling the main apparatus. This allows the permanent parts to remain assembled and operational while only the consumable bags are replaced, maintaining sterility without disrupting overall system productivity
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing expensive-to-clean permanent parts with inexpensive disposable bags, the system achieves thorough cleaning (through replacement) without the time and labor costs associated with disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling permanent components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If routine cleaning operations are performed, then some contamination is reduced, but they are not reliable enough over longer periods
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable bags provide a sterility guarantee that routine cleaning cannot match. Each new bag starts in a sterile state, providing reliable contamination prevention from the beginning of each usage period, whereas routine cleaning effectiveness degrades over time and requires increasingly frequent intervention
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 bag solution significantly reduces the need for frequent cleaning, minimizes microbial growth, and ensures a contamination-free supply chain by maintaining the soft ice cream raw material in a sterile environment until use, enhancing product quality and safety while reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the bag comprises an integrated or integratable single use pump with an opening device for the bag and wherein the single use pump can be connected to a pump drive
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for producing soft ice cream has a storage container (1) for receiving soft ice cream raw material in liquid form and a refrigeration chamber (4) with a mechanical mixing device (5) installed therein in which the soft ice cream raw material is mixed with air and thus prepared to form soft ice cream. The storage container (1) is a bag (8) which can be inserted into the apparatus, with an integrated single use pump (9) with an opening device (19) for the bag.